The accumulation of E. coli: What potential risks does it pose?
In recent weeks, the number of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infections has been on the rise, particularly in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, where 17 cases have been recorded, with several requiring intensive care. The outbreak has also spread to other German federal states, such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as Belgium, where infections and deaths have occurred in a senior home.
EHEC, a pathogenic strain of intestinal bacterium found in livestock, can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food and produces Shiga toxins, which can cause severe diarrheal diseases and haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) in humans. Typical symptoms of EHEC include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
The source of the current EHEC outbreak in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Belgium remains unknown, but laboratory analyses in Belgium suggest that the infections were caused by the same type of EHEC bacterium, indicating a common source. Finding the origin of the infections is like detective work, involving interviews about similar places visited or meals eaten by the affected persons.
While EHEC infections are relatively rare, larger outbreaks have occurred in the past, such as in 2011, when around 3,800 cases and more than 50 deaths were reported in Germany. Contaminated sprouts from Egypt-imported fenugreek seeds were considered the likely cause of the 2011 EHEC outbreak.
In more severe cases, EHEC can cause bloody diarrhea and complications such as HUS with kidney failure. HUS is a complication that can lead to kidney failure, and children are particularly at risk due to their underdeveloped immune system and organs.
To prevent EHEC infection, raw animal products should be thoroughly cooked, and fruit and vegetables should be thoroughly washed. Hygiene and caution when handling food are advisable. Currently, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) does not see any indications of an increase in EHEC cases in other regions of Germany.
In Belgian nursing homes, around 20 people have fallen ill with EHEC, with at least four deaths reported. The dynamics of the current EHEC outbreak differ from last year's cases, adding to the challenge of finding the source.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial for individuals to prioritise hygiene and food safety to minimise the risk of EHEC infection. The authorities are working diligently to identify the source of the outbreak and provide updates as more information becomes available.
