WHO: European EColi Update

The WHO has reported that the E. coli strain responsible for the deadly outbreak in Europe is a new bacteria that has never been seen before. Preliminary genetic sequencing by scientists suggests that the strain is a mutant form of two different E. coli bacterium. The genes contained within it are highly virulent and produce a lethal toxin. This maybe the reason why this outbreak is so extensive and dangerous.

Hilde Kruse, a food safety expert at the World Health Organization, said:

 this is a unique strain that has never been isolated from patients before

Today on its website, the WHO noted 10 countries in Europe including Sweden, Austria, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have all reported patients with two disease related to the bacteria: haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). It is believed that 17 people in Germany, and sickened more than 1,500 others, including 470 who have developed a rare kidney failure complication. It further said that as of May 31, nine patients in Germany had died of HUS and six of EHEC, and one person in Sweden had also died. There are many hospitalized patients, several of them requiring intensive care, including dialysis.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the outbreak, which is at present unclear. 

Source: Various


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