Public asked to toss Qualicum Spice cheese after E. coli outbreak

A raw milk cheese made on Vancouver Island has been linked to anE.coli outbreak, prompting a warning from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

Anyone who has Little Qualicum Cheeseworks' Qualicum Spice cheese in their home is asked to return it or throw it away, according to a BCCDC statement released on Tuesday.

The cheese, made by Little QualicumCheeseworks, tested positive for E. colibacteria after five people became sick between August and October.

Qualicum Spice is an unpasteurized cheese that isonly sold in B.C. It's distributedin grocery stores, farmers' markets, wineries, restaurants and at the Little Qualicum Cheeseworks farmgate store.

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks has voluntarily recalled theproduct. None of the cheesemaker's other products are being recalled at this time.

Symptoms

People who become ill fromE. colimay have no symptoms while othersmay require hospitalization.

The following symptoms can appear within one to 10days after infection:

• Severe stomach cramps.
• Diarrhea or bloody diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.
• Little or no fever.

Anyone who becomes sick after eating the cheese is asked to stay hydrated and practise good handwashingto prevent the spread of illness.

Antibiotics and anti-diarrhea medications should not be used to treat an E. coli infection unless prescribed.