The El Paso County Health Department is reminding all of us to take the necessary precautions to avoid food-borne illness this summer season.

An estimated 76 million cases of food-borne disease are reported in the United States each year. The Centers for Disease Control reports about 325,000 of those cases end in hospitalization with 5,000 ending in death.

Illness can be caused by bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. Coli. All of these bacteria can be present in meat, poultry, fish and other foods.

To stop food-borne illness from spoiling your summer celebrations, the health department suggests you take four simple steps to reduce the chances of contamination.

First, health experts say you should always wash your hands before and during the process of preparing food. Also be sure to wash your food. You can use gloves or tongs to prepare ready-to-eat foods such as sandwiches and salads.

Second, to prevent cross-contamination between foods, the health department says you should separate raw meat and poultry from uncooked foods like salads, fruits and cold sandwiches.

Third, cook your food at the proper temperature and for the right amount of time to kill any bacteria. For example, you need to cook a hamburger to an interior temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit. According to health experts the saying, "when cooking juices run clear you are safe," is a myth. Use a thermometer to be sure.

Finally, leftovers are a rampant breeding ground for bacteria unless properly stored. The health department suggests keeping all perishables at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Use freezer packs when transporting food in coolers.

You can find out more information about preventing food-borne illness by contacting the Health Department at 719-575-8635. You can also check out their website by clicking on the link below.

KKTV 11 News hopes your summer season is fun-filled and safe!