Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom, full page: (LINK). Extract.]
Update on large outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome caused by E. coli in Germany ? important advice for travellers
27 May 2011
15.30hrs
The outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication from verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) infection, continues in Germany. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm that there reports of approximately 276 cases of HUS in Germany with two deaths.
The German authorities have confirmed that they have identified organic cucumbers from two provinces of Spain (Almeria and Malaga) as one of the sources of the outbreak.
Investigations are ongoing in Germany to identify other potential sources, while a third suspect batch of cucumbers originating in the Netherlands and traded in Germany is also under investigation. Some food products have also been withdrawn from the German market.
The Food Standards Agency is monitoring the situation closely and stress there is currently no evidence that any affected organic cucumbers from the sources identified have been distributed to the UK.
The European Commission report that the Spanish authorities are focusing their efforts on pinpointing the exact site of production of the organic cucumbers in question.
Until all sources of the outbreak are known, the German authorities are advising people in Germany to avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce, especially in the north of the country, until further notice. The HPA recommends travellers follow the advice of the German authorities. In addition anyone returning from Germany with illness including bloody diarrhoea should seek urgent medical attention and make sure they mention any recent travel history.
England has so far seen three cases in German nationals, two with HUS and one with bloody diarrhoea. One of the HUS cases has been confirmed as having VTEC O104 infection which is causing this outbreak. There are no reports of any secondary infection in the UK. Other European countries are continuing to see cases of HUS and bloody diarrhoea among returning travellers.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 020 8327 7901 or email cfipressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press office can be contacted on 020 8200 4400.
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27 May 2011
15.30hrs
The outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication from verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) infection, continues in Germany. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm that there reports of approximately 276 cases of HUS in Germany with two deaths.
The German authorities have confirmed that they have identified organic cucumbers from two provinces of Spain (Almeria and Malaga) as one of the sources of the outbreak.
Investigations are ongoing in Germany to identify other potential sources, while a third suspect batch of cucumbers originating in the Netherlands and traded in Germany is also under investigation. Some food products have also been withdrawn from the German market.
The Food Standards Agency is monitoring the situation closely and stress there is currently no evidence that any affected organic cucumbers from the sources identified have been distributed to the UK.
The European Commission report that the Spanish authorities are focusing their efforts on pinpointing the exact site of production of the organic cucumbers in question.
Until all sources of the outbreak are known, the German authorities are advising people in Germany to avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce, especially in the north of the country, until further notice. The HPA recommends travellers follow the advice of the German authorities. In addition anyone returning from Germany with illness including bloody diarrhoea should seek urgent medical attention and make sure they mention any recent travel history.
England has so far seen three cases in German nationals, two with HUS and one with bloody diarrhoea. One of the HUS cases has been confirmed as having VTEC O104 infection which is causing this outbreak. There are no reports of any secondary infection in the UK. Other European countries are continuing to see cases of HUS and bloody diarrhoea among returning travellers.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 020 8327 7901 or email cfipressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press office can be contacted on 020 8200 4400.
(?)
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