Canada’s eastern and adjoining provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are reporting 15 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. None of the illnesses have yet been traced to a source. Ten of the E. coli illnesses are located in central Nova Scotia, with five reported by the Capital District Health, two by the Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority, and one each by the Pictou, Cumberland, and Colcherster East Hants health authorities. On the other side of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, heath officials reported two cases were reported in the St. John region and three in the Fredericton region. Dr. Eilish Cleary, chief medical officer for New Brunswick, said it is not known if there is a common source for the cases. A number of possible sources are being investigated. Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer for Nova Scotia, said that it would not be uncommon for there to be additional cases as it may take as long as ten days for some people to begin to experience symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 and get tested. One of the Nova Scotia patients experienced kidney failure, but along with the others is said to be recovering. In New Brunswick, four illnesses were treated by emergency room visits, and one victim was hospitalized. From Fredericton through St. John, both in New Brunswick and on to Halifax on the Atlantic in Nova Scotia is only a distance of about 325 miles, which is not an unusual delivery district for eastern Canada. Last year, E. coli cases in two New Brunswick towns located about two hours apart from one another was traced to California grown lettuce. Health officials are warning people in both provinces to practice such precautions as frequent hand washing, peeling all raw fruits and vegetables, and keeping raw poultry and meats separated from cooked foods, and avoiding raw milk.