E is for Epidemic

The E. coli outbreak in Germany has killed at least 22 people so far and made more than 2,000 seriously ill. Most of the cases have been in and around Hamburg in the north of Germany. Cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom and Sweden; those affected had recently visited Germany.

The infection is caused by a pathogen called enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). It is a particularly aggressive strain of the E. coli bacterium and can cause haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS). HUS causes kidney failure and can be fatal.

The first case was reported in the second week of May, and it still has not been proven what the source of the contaminated food is.

At first, it was thought that organic Spanish cucumbers were to blame, because traces of E. coli were found on the cucumbers. Later indications linked the outbreak to sprouts.

German Health Minister Daniel Bahr said, "We have clear indications that a farm in the district of Uelzen is a likely source of the contamination, but we must first wait for the results of the laboratory tests."

An investigation is now being carried out at the plant nursery south of Hamburg which supplies sprouts to restaurants and food retailers in Hamburg and in neighbouring states. The sprouts include azuki beans, alfalfa, broccoli, peas, lentils and mung beans. These are usually eaten in salads.

The Robert Koch Institute recommends that people not eat raw tomatoes, cucumbers or lettuce in northern Germany and that they take the usual hygiene measures in handling fruit and vegetables.

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Dagmar Taylor