Genome Sequencing Leads CDC Straight To E. Coli Source

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As of May 1, 2018, 121 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are using DNA technology to try and prevent future E. coli outbreaks.

The method is called genome sequencing and it could eliminate the guessing game when it comes to finding the source of E. coli outbreaks. With it, scientists can determine the exact food and location in which the contaminated produce originated.

Michael Doyle is a professor emeritus of food microbiology at the University of Georgia. Doyle tells us exactly how genome sequencing will help both consumers and the food industry.

GPB's Leah Fleming speaks with Michael Doyle, professor emeritus of food microbiology at UGA.

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Escherichia coli causes 73,000 illnesses in the United States annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. / Wikimedia Commons