Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: European Commission, European Union, full page: (LINK). Extract, edited.]
Escherichia coli outbreak in Germany: Shiga toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
On 22 May Germany informed the European Commission's Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) of a significant increase in the number of patients with hemolytic uremic sysndrome (HUS) and bloody diarrhea caused by enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Investigations have now concluded that a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli bacteria is responsible for this outbreak.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is a type of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) bacteria that can cause illness ranging from mild intestinal disease to severe kidney complications. Other types of enterohemorrhagic E. coli include the relatively important serotype E. coli O157:H7, and more than 100 other non-O157 strains such as O111 and O26.
A number of people with STEC developed the haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious form of the disease.
Investigations are ongoing in Germany and other afected Member States to identify potential sources.
The Commission has been following the outbreak closely since it became known on Sunday, May 22. It activated immediately all existing networks created to manage this kind of incidents the moment the outbreak was confirmed. This includes the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) and the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) ensuring rapid distribution of information throughout the EU on findings in, and distribution of, possible food sources, and human cases respectively.
Following a request from the Commission, the ECDC conducted a risk assessment which was communicated to the Commission and the Member States on 25 May and updated on May 27. The risk assessment can be found here.
Good hygiene practices should be applied when preparing food and, in particular, when handling vegetables. Fruit and vegetables need to be washed thoroughly. The same applies for hands before preparing food or eating, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Finally, washing thoroughly knives, plates and other utensils used to prepare fruit or vegetables helps avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Reports of EWRS audio-conferences
Flash report Wednesday 25 May 2011
Flash report Thursday 26 May 2011
Flash report Friday 27 May 2011
Flash report Monday 30 may 2011
Latest developments
In Germany, a total number of 1,169 cases have been recorded, out of which 329 developed the Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
Sweden has reported 39 EHEC cases out of which 15 developed HUS, Denmark 14 EHEC cases (six with HUS), the Netherlands seven (7) cases (three HUS), France six (6) EHEC cases, the UK reported three cases (two HUS) and Austria reported two (2) EHEC cases.
Further information
Commission's press release dated 26.05.2011
Commission's press release dated 27.05.2011
Statement by the Commission during the midday press briefing on 30.05.2011
Information submitted to the RASFF can be found here
Information on EU legislation on food safety and the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
Useful links
The European Commission's public health portal
RASFF webpage
ECDC homepage
EFSA homepage
The German Robert Koch Institute concerning detailled information about the strain (please note the strain was isolated from an infected person)
The Robert Koch Institute with further useful information
Article on the current outbreak in Eurosurveillance, Europe's journal on infectious disease epidemiology, prevention and control
Page on EU reference laboratories in the area of biological risks
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in the field of consumer health protection
(?)
- ------On 22 May Germany informed the European Commission's Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) of a significant increase in the number of patients with hemolytic uremic sysndrome (HUS) and bloody diarrhea caused by enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Investigations have now concluded that a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli bacteria is responsible for this outbreak.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is a type of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) bacteria that can cause illness ranging from mild intestinal disease to severe kidney complications. Other types of enterohemorrhagic E. coli include the relatively important serotype E. coli O157:H7, and more than 100 other non-O157 strains such as O111 and O26.
A number of people with STEC developed the haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious form of the disease.
Investigations are ongoing in Germany and other afected Member States to identify potential sources.
The Commission has been following the outbreak closely since it became known on Sunday, May 22. It activated immediately all existing networks created to manage this kind of incidents the moment the outbreak was confirmed. This includes the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) and the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) ensuring rapid distribution of information throughout the EU on findings in, and distribution of, possible food sources, and human cases respectively.
Following a request from the Commission, the ECDC conducted a risk assessment which was communicated to the Commission and the Member States on 25 May and updated on May 27. The risk assessment can be found here.
Good hygiene practices should be applied when preparing food and, in particular, when handling vegetables. Fruit and vegetables need to be washed thoroughly. The same applies for hands before preparing food or eating, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Finally, washing thoroughly knives, plates and other utensils used to prepare fruit or vegetables helps avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Reports of EWRS audio-conferences
Flash report Wednesday 25 May 2011
Flash report Thursday 26 May 2011
Flash report Friday 27 May 2011
Flash report Monday 30 may 2011
Latest developments
In Germany, a total number of 1,169 cases have been recorded, out of which 329 developed the Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
Sweden has reported 39 EHEC cases out of which 15 developed HUS, Denmark 14 EHEC cases (six with HUS), the Netherlands seven (7) cases (three HUS), France six (6) EHEC cases, the UK reported three cases (two HUS) and Austria reported two (2) EHEC cases.
Further information
Commission's press release dated 26.05.2011
Commission's press release dated 27.05.2011
Statement by the Commission during the midday press briefing on 30.05.2011
Information submitted to the RASFF can be found here
Information on EU legislation on food safety and the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
Useful links
The European Commission's public health portal
RASFF webpage
ECDC homepage
EFSA homepage
The German Robert Koch Institute concerning detailled information about the strain (please note the strain was isolated from an infected person)
The Robert Koch Institute with further useful information
Article on the current outbreak in Eurosurveillance, Europe's journal on infectious disease epidemiology, prevention and control
Page on EU reference laboratories in the area of biological risks
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in the field of consumer health protection
(?)