E. coli 0157:H7 bacterial culture. Gloved hand holding a petri dish culture of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 bacterial colonies, cause of foodborne illness. These cells are growing on agar-gel nutrient media. This E.coli strain was responsible for the outbreak of food poisoning in Scotland in 1996, when over a dozen people died & hundreds were taken ill. It causes bloody diarrhoea and occasionally kidney failure, particularly in the elderly & very young. The strain originates from the intestines of some cattle and spreads to contaminate beef and milk. Pasteurisation of milk and thorough cooking of all meat helps to prevent it's transmission.