Toronto Public Health confirms first three cases of Omicron variant in city’s water system since Sept. 1
In a statement received Friday morning, Toronto Public Health confirmed three new cases of the Omicron variant of E. coli O157:H7 in the city’s water system since September 1.
“We know there is a need for increased awareness, and we will take all actions needed to protect our water systems from this deadly and highly contagious disease,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health.
The three cases are expected to be further investigated and confirmed as Omicron variant of E. coli O157:H7.
The three new cases are as follows:
Case 1: One person in Waterfront Park has been diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7, while another in the same area is potentially at risk.
Case 2: There are two cases of E. coli O157:H7 in the Don Mills River in the past few days, both confirmed.
Case 3: Two cases of E. coli O157:H7 in the past few days, both confirmed.
All three cases are currently not being investigated or linked to a source outside Toronto.
This is the first time in more than 15 years that Toronto has experienced three cases of the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 in one month.
The last time the Omicron variant of E. coli O157:H7 was diagnosed in Toronto was in 2003.
The cases, which have been confirmed by Toronto Public Health, are considered highly contagious.
In the past three or four months, Toronto has witnessed a handful of cases of the Omicron variant of E. coli O157:H7, which is highly contagious and can cause severe, acute and sometimes fatal illnesses.
These latest cases are not associated with the previous strains in Toronto, which was due in part to the fact that cases of E. coli O157:H7 were detected in the city between January and September of 2014.
While Toronto’s current cases are being linked to the O