STEC is spread through fecal-oral transmission15. STEC lives in the intestines of cattle and other
animals including deer, goats, and horses. Animals can carry the bacteria and shed it in their
feces without being ill. People become exposed to STEC by having contact with infected
animals or their feces, ingesting contaminated food or beverages, or coming into contact with
fecal matter from other people who are infected16,17,18. People who have experienced illness
caused by STEC, especially children less than five years of age, can shed the bacteria in their
feces for several weeks following the resolution of symptoms19. High risk exposures include
contact with cattle, changing diapers of an infected child, and consuming unpasteurized (raw)
milk, cheese, or apple cider20. Outbreaks of STEC have been caused by a variety of exposures21.