courtesy http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE7511UX20110606?pageNumber=4&virtualBrandChannel=0
'BEAN SPROUTS'
Dear Ones:Recent reports have added 'bean sprouts' to this list (along with cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuces) of possible culprits responsible for the E. coli (STEC) food-borne illness that is spreading across Europe.
LINK: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/06/us-ecoli-beansprouts-idUSTRE7552N720110606
These reports have all proven to NOT be true!
LINK: http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE7511UX20110606?pageNumber=4&virtualBrandChannel=0
To date, the SOURCE of the STEC outbreak REMAINS UNKNOWN and as soon as valid epidemiological is available, I will present and explain it to you here.
In fact, although vegetables have been implicated, they may not be to blame at all. Only time and study will tell.
The number of cases of STEC O104:H4, both illnesses and deaths, has taken a dramatic upturn for the worse.
As of this writing, the eCDC reports a total of 22 deaths in (EU), also known as the European Union Member States (see data below):
--21 deaths in Germany (15 from STEC with HUS...6 from STEC without HUS) and
-- 1 death in Sweden (from STEC with HUS)
As for actual cases, the number is rising significantly:
--Since 2 May 2011, 661 cases with HUS and 1672 without HUS STEC cases have been reported from European Union Member States...for a total of 2, 333 total cases in the EU.
PLEASE NOTE: HUS due to STEC infection USUALLY occurs in children 5 years of age and younger.
But in this current STEC O104:H4 Outbreak, the great majority of these cases are ADULTS, two-thirds of which are women.
I do not know why there is a gender differential in play here, but my initial reaction was that it might be due the fact that women tend to eat more fruits and vegetables (salads) than males do. (Though this argument implicates vegetables, once again, which may or may not ultimately be the case.)
It is also possible that ESTROGENS and/or pharmaceuticals intended for female consumption play a role in the proportionately larger number of adult female cases in this outbreak.
It is well known (though not widely discussed, or in some cases, 'accepted' as fact) that synthetic hormone supplementation in females is found to be a contributing factor where there is a decreased or inadequate immune response.
But bear in mind, we are not dealing with a run-of-the-mill microbe here, by any means. This one is particularly virulent and 'vicious' in the damage that it can do to the human body.
Determination of the exact mutation characteristics of the bacteria in question has also shown that some of the original 'descriptions' have not been completely accurate.
While the details of genetic sequencing are not immediately 'useful' to gravely ill patients at the present time, THEY WILL BE to future patients.
Once the analysis is complete, this will enable investigators to 'identify'/type/differentiate' STEC infections in patients more easily BEFORE ominous signs and symptoms present themselves.
Also, several degrees of 'antibiotic resistance' have been discovered to be present in this very infectious STEC variant and it is hoped that a suitable one might be synthesized.
As it is, STEC is quite resistant to antibiotic therapy in many cases.
BGI-Shenzhen and their collaborators at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, in addressing this problem, have determined STEC resistance to at least '8' antibiotics:
LINK: http://www.genomics.cn/en/news_show.php?type=show&id=647
It is hoped that ultimately a suitable antibiotic can be discovered to 'kill' this superbug!
Until that time, all health care support revolves around supportive care, including:
--maximizing a person's own immune response, letting the body do it's work
--supportive medical care to minimize tissue and organ damage
--dialysis and respiratory support
--blood transfusions (in order to 'dilute out' the shiga-type toxin) if blood is available
--alternative health care modalities, best used in conjunction with enlightened 'traditional' medical professionals.
From a food standpoint, all I can suggest is that you 'stick with known sources'. This might not be the best time to sample fare in and from areas with known major outbreaks in the EU.
The situation is troublesome, indeed, but there is still no need for panic.
Just be 'food aware' and 'stay with what you know', for now.
Government officials need to get over their 'bickering' and the scientific community must allow for a free-exchange of intellectual property and data related to this STEC outbreak.
People's lives are at risk and people are dying and this is no time for prima donna politics in any sector of society.
May God Bless & Keep You & Your Loved Ones Safe-Even As We Pray For Those Now Suffering that they be healed and relieved of their pain & suffering
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com
PLEASE NOTE: HUS due to STEC infection USUALLY occurs in children 5 years of age and younger.
But in this current STEC O104:H4 Outbreak, the great majority of these cases are ADULTS, two-thirds of which are women.
I do not know why there is a gender differential in play here, but my initial reaction was that it might be due the fact that women tend to eat more fruits and vegetables (salads) than males do. (Though this argument implicates vegetables, once again, which may or may not ultimately be the case.)
It is also possible that ESTROGENS and/or pharmaceuticals intended for female consumption play a role in the proportionately larger number of adult female cases in this outbreak.
It is well known (though not widely discussed, or in some cases, 'accepted' as fact) that synthetic hormone supplementation in females is found to be a contributing factor where there is a decreased or inadequate immune response.
But bear in mind, we are not dealing with a run-of-the-mill microbe here, by any means. This one is particularly virulent and 'vicious' in the damage that it can do to the human body.
Determination of the exact mutation characteristics of the bacteria in question has also shown that some of the original 'descriptions' have not been completely accurate.
While the details of genetic sequencing are not immediately 'useful' to gravely ill patients at the present time, THEY WILL BE to future patients.
Once the analysis is complete, this will enable investigators to 'identify'/type/differentiate' STEC infections in patients more easily BEFORE ominous signs and symptoms present themselves.
Also, several degrees of 'antibiotic resistance' have been discovered to be present in this very infectious STEC variant and it is hoped that a suitable one might be synthesized.
As it is, STEC is quite resistant to antibiotic therapy in many cases.
BGI-Shenzhen and their collaborators at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, in addressing this problem, have determined STEC resistance to at least '8' antibiotics:
LINK: http://www.genomics.cn/en/news_show.php?type=show&id=647
It is hoped that ultimately a suitable antibiotic can be discovered to 'kill' this superbug!
Until that time, all health care support revolves around supportive care, including:
--maximizing a person's own immune response, letting the body do it's work
--supportive medical care to minimize tissue and organ damage
--dialysis and respiratory support
--blood transfusions (in order to 'dilute out' the shiga-type toxin) if blood is available
--alternative health care modalities, best used in conjunction with enlightened 'traditional' medical professionals.
From a food standpoint, all I can suggest is that you 'stick with known sources'. This might not be the best time to sample fare in and from areas with known major outbreaks in the EU.
The situation is troublesome, indeed, but there is still no need for panic.
Just be 'food aware' and 'stay with what you know', for now.
Government officials need to get over their 'bickering' and the scientific community must allow for a free-exchange of intellectual property and data related to this STEC outbreak.
People's lives are at risk and people are dying and this is no time for prima donna politics in any sector of society.
May God Bless & Keep You & Your Loved Ones Safe-Even As We Pray For Those Now Suffering that they be healed and relieved of their pain & suffering
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com
| Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in Germany (6 June 2011, 11:00) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06 Jun 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in GermanyEpidemiological update, 6 June 2011, 11:00 LINK: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1101&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews On 22 May, Germany reported a significant increase in the number of patients with haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and bloody diarrhoea caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Since 2 May 2011, 661 cases of HUS and 1672 non-HUS STEC cases have been reported from European Union Member States, including 630 HUS cases and 1601 non-HUS STEC cases in Germany. Sixteen of the HUS cases and six non-HUS STEC cases in EU Member states have died. See table below. While HUS, caused by STEC infections, is usually observed in children under 5 years of age, in this outbreak the great majority of cases are adults, with more than two thirds being women. Laboratory results indicate that STEC serogroup O104:H4 (Stx2-positve, eae-negative, hly-negative, ESBL, aat, aggR, aap) is the causative agent. PFGE results shows indistinguishable pattern of 7 human O104:H4 outbreak strains in Germany and 2 strains of O104:H4 in Denmark. The source of the outbreak is under investigation, but contaminated food seems the most likely vehicle of infection. Most cases are from, or have a history of travel to the North of Germany (mainly Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, North-Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg). Within the EU also Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom have reported cases of HUS, related to the ongoing outbreak as well as cases of non-HUS STEC cases. Number of HUS and non-HUS STEC cases and associated deaths per EU Member States as of 6 June 2011, 10:00
Based on the available information, cases are associated with an exposure in Germany (mainly northern parts). The vehicle of the outbreak has not yet been identified and intensive investigations are ongoing. The results of these investigations will determine the assessment of this risk. Rapid identification of potential cases linked to this outbreak, within Germany or among persons who have travelled to Germany since the beginning of May, is essential to prevent the development of severe disease. STEC is a group of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains capable of producing Shiga toxins, with the potential to cause severe enteric and systemic disease in humans. |
Hey stupid, bean sprouts ARE the culprit.
ReplyDeleteYou need to keep current, Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unfolding epidemiological event and I interpret data as it is generated.
Read:
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/2011/06/sprouts-controversy-whats-source-of-e.html
And God Bless You!
Rev. Barb