E.Coli outbreak kills five in Germany and leaves three ill in UK
I have been following the development of this outbreak all this week. The Telegraph reports that the outbreak started in Germany where five people have died and a further 270 have been confirmed as having the bacterium. Around 500 more are being tested for the infection.
Three people in the UK who had travelled from Germany recently have also fallen ill after becoming infected with the rare form of E. Coli. Organic cucumbers from Spain are thought to be the source of the bacteria. The Health Protection Agency has now issued advice for travellers to Germany to avoid eating raw tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers. Cucumbers are currently also being recalled in the US for potential salmonella contamination.
Science Insider reports that "German researchers suspect cucumbers from Spain are the source of a massive enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) outbreak that has hit the northern parts of the country. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), so far 214 patients have developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially deadly complication of an EHEC infection, characterized by a destruction of red blood cells and severe kidney problems. At least two patients have died.
Local authorities in Hamburg announced today that they had isolated the bacterium that is likely causing the outbreak, E. coli O104:H4 , from four cucumbers. Three of the samples came from a big market in Hamburg that sells to greengrocer's shops as well as restaurants and caterers. Those cucumbers came from two organic producers in Spain. Scientists had speculated in the last few days that manure from infected animals used on an organic farm might have spread the bacteria to vegetables. A fourth sample came from a restaurant, and it was not immediately clear where that cucumber had been grown. After the announcement, stores started taking Spanish cucumbers off the shelves".
The UK Food Standards Agency have also issued a press release.
Postscript: Further research after this post has suggested that Spain may not be the source of the infection as highlighted in the initial media reports.
Three people in the UK who had travelled from Germany recently have also fallen ill after becoming infected with the rare form of E. Coli. Organic cucumbers from Spain are thought to be the source of the bacteria. The Health Protection Agency has now issued advice for travellers to Germany to avoid eating raw tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers. Cucumbers are currently also being recalled in the US for potential salmonella contamination.
Science Insider reports that "German researchers suspect cucumbers from Spain are the source of a massive enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) outbreak that has hit the northern parts of the country. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), so far 214 patients have developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially deadly complication of an EHEC infection, characterized by a destruction of red blood cells and severe kidney problems. At least two patients have died.
Local authorities in Hamburg announced today that they had isolated the bacterium that is likely causing the outbreak, E. coli O104:H4 , from four cucumbers. Three of the samples came from a big market in Hamburg that sells to greengrocer's shops as well as restaurants and caterers. Those cucumbers came from two organic producers in Spain. Scientists had speculated in the last few days that manure from infected animals used on an organic farm might have spread the bacteria to vegetables. A fourth sample came from a restaurant, and it was not immediately clear where that cucumber had been grown. After the announcement, stores started taking Spanish cucumbers off the shelves".
The UK Food Standards Agency have also issued a press release.
Postscript: Further research after this post has suggested that Spain may not be the source of the infection as highlighted in the initial media reports.
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