Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom, full page: (LINK). Edited.]
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Update on E. coli outbreak in Germany
10 June 2011
18:00hrs
The German authorities have today reported 37 new cases of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), bringing the total number of cases to 759. In addition, a further 143 cases of bloody diarrhoea (VTEC or EHEC infection, caused by E. coli O104) were recorded, bringing the total to 2,229. Four more people are reported to have died in Germany today, bringing the total number of deaths from the outbreak to 31 ? 22 with HUS (21 in Germany, one in Sweden) and nine with bloody diarrhoea (all in Germany).
One new case of bloody diarrhoea in Scotland has been reported to the HPA today, bringing the total number of cases in the UK linked to the German outbreak to 14 ? three HUS and 11 bloody diarrhoea. To date, six of these have been microbiologically confirmed. All 14 cases are related to recent travel to Germany.
The German authorities have today reported that sprouting seeds such as lentils, alfalfa seeds, fenugreek and adzuki beans, have now been implicated as the vehicle of infection and the current advice is to avoid eating these raw in Germany. The German authorities are now advising that people no longer need to avoid eating raw tomato, lettuce and cucumber.
The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that there is no evidence that any affected food products have been distributed to any country other than Germany.
The HPA advises travellers to Germany to follow this advice from the German authorities and avoid eating sprouting seeds until further notice. Anyone returning from Germany with illness including bloody diarrhoea should seek urgent medical attention and make sure they mention their recent travel history.
Notes to editors:
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) is funded by the HPA and healthcare professionals and members of the public can find more information about travel health, including country specific advice, by logging onto their website: www.nathnac.org
For more information about the situation in Germany, visit the Robert Koch Institute's website http://www.rki.de
Updated Q&A on this topic
For information on food safety, visit the Food Standards Agency website:
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/june/outbreak
For media enquiries please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 020 8327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk.. Out of hours the duty press office can be contacted on 020 8200 4400.
-10 June 2011
18:00hrs
The German authorities have today reported 37 new cases of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), bringing the total number of cases to 759. In addition, a further 143 cases of bloody diarrhoea (VTEC or EHEC infection, caused by E. coli O104) were recorded, bringing the total to 2,229. Four more people are reported to have died in Germany today, bringing the total number of deaths from the outbreak to 31 ? 22 with HUS (21 in Germany, one in Sweden) and nine with bloody diarrhoea (all in Germany).
One new case of bloody diarrhoea in Scotland has been reported to the HPA today, bringing the total number of cases in the UK linked to the German outbreak to 14 ? three HUS and 11 bloody diarrhoea. To date, six of these have been microbiologically confirmed. All 14 cases are related to recent travel to Germany.
The German authorities have today reported that sprouting seeds such as lentils, alfalfa seeds, fenugreek and adzuki beans, have now been implicated as the vehicle of infection and the current advice is to avoid eating these raw in Germany. The German authorities are now advising that people no longer need to avoid eating raw tomato, lettuce and cucumber.
The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that there is no evidence that any affected food products have been distributed to any country other than Germany.
The HPA advises travellers to Germany to follow this advice from the German authorities and avoid eating sprouting seeds until further notice. Anyone returning from Germany with illness including bloody diarrhoea should seek urgent medical attention and make sure they mention their recent travel history.
Notes to editors:
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) is funded by the HPA and healthcare professionals and members of the public can find more information about travel health, including country specific advice, by logging onto their website: www.nathnac.org
For more information about the situation in Germany, visit the Robert Koch Institute's website http://www.rki.de
Updated Q&A on this topic
For information on food safety, visit the Food Standards Agency website:
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/june/outbreak
For media enquiries please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 020 8327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk.. Out of hours the duty press office can be contacted on 020 8200 4400.
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