Sweden: First Domestic EHEC Case

 

 

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Today, the Smittskyddsinstitutet (Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control) announced their first locally acquired case of EHEC due to the same enterohemorrhagic E. coli strain that has recently sickened thousands, and killed dozens, across Germany and parts of Europe.

 

Exactly how this patient – a middle-aged man from Skåne (southern Sweden) with no history of travel to Germany and no known contact with anyone returning from the region – came to acquire the infection is unknown.

 

Of particular concern would be if this virulent strain of E. Coli has managed to get into Sweden’s food supply.  There are other possibilities, of course, including acquiring the bacteria indirectly from contact with another person.

 

Tracking down the source of this infection is now a top priority for local health officials. 

 

This from The Local.se.

 

 

Sweden reports first domestic EHEC case

Published: 28 Jun 11 16:24 CET |

For the first time, a Swede with no connections to Germany has been infected with the virulent enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) bacteria that has claimed dozens of lives across Europe, Swedish health authorities reported on Tuesday.

 

“This means that the source of the infection is in Sweden, which is a lot worse, because it might mean that there is some form of infected food product in circulation that we haven’t yet identified, “ said Sofie Ivarsson, epidemiologist at the institute to news agency TT.

(Continue . . . )

 

Meanwhile the latest ECDC update shows roughly 4,000 cases in Germany and 48 related deaths.

 

 

Separately, another much smaller outbreak featuring the same E. coli O104:H4 strain has been detected in Bordeaux, France, hospitalizing at least 9 people. 

 

ECDC update on outbreak in Germany and cluster in France

27 Jun 2011

ECDC

On Friday 24 June, France reported a cluster of eight patients with bloody diarrhoea, after having participated in an event in the commune of Bègles around Bordeaux on 8 June. Of these, seven have developed HUS, a severe complication of E. coli infection. In three of the patients, infection with E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed.

 

The French authorities are investigating this new cluster of STEC - the suspected vehicle of infection for the cases and whether there is any link between that cluster and the large outbreak reported from Germany.

 

Since 25 June in the EU/EEA, 880 HUS cases, including 31 deaths, and 3 039 non-HUS cases, including 16 deaths have so far been reported. ECDC is continuously monitoring the enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) oubreak in Germany and other EU Member States.

 

 

While the original outbreak in Germany is winding down, two fresh foci of infection – seemingly unrelated to the main outbreak – leave us with many unanswered questions.

 

And so the epidemiological investigation continues.

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WHO: EHEC Update

 

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From the World Health Organization this morning, an update on the EHEC (E. Coli) in Germany, and a few details on the similar outbreak now reported in Bordeaux, France.

 

The good news is that the number of new cases has declined significantly over the past couple of weeks in the German outbreak, and so far, the outbreak in France has been limited to just 8 cases.

 

 

 

EHEC outbreaks: Update 24, France reports 8 cases in new outbreak

27-06-2011

Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly. In Germany, the daily numbers of reported cases have steadily decreased since they peaked on 22 May. Nevertheless, the cumulative numbers of cases from Germany continue to rise, primarily owing to delays in notification.

 

Investigations by the German authorities indicate that the vehicle of the bacterium responsible for the outbreak, enteroaggregative verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (EAggEC VTEC) O104:H4, is bean and seed sprouts, and the Robert Koch Institute has warned people in Germany not to eat raw sprouts of any origin.

 

On 24 June, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/HUS with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases. Investigations are ongoing, but the first findings suggest that locally grown sprouts might be involved. Intensive traceback is under way to identify a possible common source of the German and French sprout seeds. Other potential vehicles are also under investigation.

 

The table shows the reported cases of and deaths from HUS and EHEC infection as of 24 June at 15:00 CET. It does not include the 8 cases reported by France on 24 June, as these are considered a separate outbreak.

 

In Germany, the latest date of onset of diarrhoea is 22 June for HUS cases and 20 June for EHEC cases. All but 5 of the above HUS and EHEC cases were in people who had travelled to or lived in Germany during the incubation period for infection, typically 3–4 days after exposure (range: 2–10 days). The remaining 5 cases can also be linked to the outbreak in Germany.

Note

EHEC and HUS have exclusive notification categories, so case numbers should not overlap. The figures in any rapidly evolving outbreak, however, are provisional and subject to change for a variety of reasons.

 

In providing the above information, WHO wishes to recognize the contribution of its Member States, and technical partners such as the European Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and a number of WHO collaborating centres.

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UK: Updated Sprout Safety Statement

 

 

# 5651

 

Even as the sprout-linked  EHEC outbreak in Germany drags on, a new (and similar) outbreak has been reported in Bordeaux, France - with seven people hospitalized.

 

This report from Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

 

French E coli outbreak likened to deadly German drama

Jun 26, 2011, 10:05 GMT

Paris - This week's outbreak of E Coli in the south-western French city of Bordeaux bears the hallmarks of the outbreak that claimed dozens of lives in Germany, French media reports said Sunday.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

As a possible link to a UK supplier of sprout seeds has been mentioned (but not confirmed), the UK’s Food Standards Agency has issued a revised safety statement on the preparing and handling of sprout seeds.

 

 

Updated sprouted beans statement

Saturday 25 June 2011

Following further cases of E. coli in France, the Food Standards Agency is revising its guidance on the consumption of sprouted seeds such as alfalfa, mung beans (usually known as beansprouts) and fenugreek.

 

As a precaution, the Agency is advising that sprouted seeds should only be eaten if they have been cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout; they should not be eaten raw.

 

The investigations into the outbreak of E. coli in France have suggested a possible link to sprouting seeds from a company based in the UK. To date, no cases of food poisoning have been reported in the UK linked to the outbreak in France. We are in close contact with the Health Protection Agency who is actively monitoring the situation.

 

The Agency also advises that equipment which has been used for sprouting seeds should be cleaned thoroughly after use. You should always wash your hands after handling seeds intended for planting or sprouting.

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Sharp Increase In Reported Flu Deaths In France & UK

 

 

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While the numbers are most certainly undercounts, and some of the increase in this week’s fatalities may be due to better surveillance and reporting, both France and the UK are reporting major jumps in their flu-related fatalities over the past week.

 

France saw an increase in the official death toll from 46 to 68, nearly a 50% jump.   The UK meanwhile saw their deadliest week with 31 fatalities, a one week surge of roughly 15%.

 

As in the US, official (lab-confirmed) deaths from this virus around the world likely represent just `the tip of the iceberg’.

 

Two reports.

 

Sharp Increase in Swine Flu Deaths in France

November 26, 2009

PARIS (Reuters) - The number of deaths in mainland France from the H1N1 swine flu virus jumped in the last week, according to official data on Thursday.

 

The toll rose to 68 deaths as of November 22, with 22 new deaths last week. Six of the 68 victims had no underlying health problems, the country's health monitoring institute said. Health minister Roselyne Bachelot said 750,000 people had already been vaccinated but admitted that many vaccination centers were facing long waiting lines.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

Swine flu: last seven days sees record number of UK deaths

 

Thirty-one deaths is highest weekly number since outbreak began, although number of infections falls for third week in a row

 

More people have died from swine flu in the past seven days than in any week since the outbreak began, the Department of Health revealed today.

 

Thirty-one deaths associated with the H1N1 virus were recorded bringing the total number of fatalities since May to 245. The estimate for new cases in England fell slightly again to 46,000 – the third successive week it has declined.

 

The unusual pattern of fewer infections but more deaths suggests a second major peak in cases is unlikely to be imminent. Around a million patients – and more health workers – have already been vaccinated against the virus.

 

(Continue. . . )

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