"STEC O104:H4 E. coli Outbreak In Europe: eCDC Stats For June 2, 2011 & What They Mean For You & Your Family" By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

eCDC Headquarters 'Tomteboda' http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/Pages/home.aspx

 Dear Readers:

      The eCDC (The European Center For Disease Prevention And Control) has published some new statistics today related to the recent E.coli STEC O104:H4 outbreak attributed to contaminated 'raw vegetables', including cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.

      Please exercise care when listening to 'headlines' regarding the number of deaths and illnesses allegedly taking place.

      Make no mistake: this is a horrible infection which is spread very easily and it is deadly.

     However, at the present time, the eCDC, the U.S. CDC and the individual health agencies of the European states are AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER when it comes to 'NUMBERS of DEATHS and ILLNESS'.

     For background information, be sure to also read the FIRST in my series of articles, for you so that you and your loved ones may be safe during this food crisis: 
LINK: http://dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/2011/06/e-coli-outbreak-in-europe-stec-0104h4.html

     It is important to not PANIC in Europe or elsewhere at this time, but do exercise proper food-preparation precautions, and, for now, AVOID ANY AND ALL FOODSTUFFS IMPLICATED IN THIS RECENT STEC O104:H4 OUTBREAK!

     Remember that it is the 'SHIGA-Type Toxin' which causes death and tissue destruction with this STEC O104:H4 outbreak and this toxin cannot be washed away.

     Also, it is impossible to totally disinfect (i.e. wash with soap and water or with water and chlorine) foods such as vegetables.
     Thus, unfortunately for now, the only way to avoid becoming infected with this E. coli species is to AVOID ALL FOODS REPORTED TO BE CONTAMINATED IN EUROPE.

     For those in the U.S., I urge that you maintain a 'high index of suspicion' with fresh vegetables until and unless the situation in Europe is better understood and dealt with.

     Until then, we pray for those at risk at this time that they be safe and be made well.
     Since this is 'reportedly' a strain 'hitherto unseen until now' (which is true outside of academic circles), then the possibility of bioterrorism must be addressed at once by officials!

     As long as 'experts' quibble amongst themselves, the consumer is at risk and must seek their own counsel. 
     If you suspect that you or your family exhibit sign/symptoms of E. coli food-borne disease, wherever you are in the world, get them to a proper health care provider immediately.
     Do not wait, especially with children and infants!
     While this bacteria species is difficult to 'kill', supportive care can be provided and lives saved.
     Remember to keep an eye out for: stomach pain, cramps, diarrhea-bloody or otherwise, nausea, vomiting, weakness, 'feeling sick all over', brain-fog, seizures, urinary/kidney pain and problems, bleeding anywhere, dehydration...and ACT IMMEDIATELY AND GET HELP!

     And be sure to check in here regularly as I attempt to provide you with the very latest advice and VERIFIABLE DATA related to the European STEC O104:H4 outbreak.

God Bless You

Reverend Barbara Sexton 

"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com
LINK FOR ARTICLE BELOW:
 http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1096&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews

Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in Germany Epidemiological update, 2 June 2011, 11:00 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, 499 cases of HUS have been reported from European Union Member States, including 470 cases in Germany. 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. Ten of the HUS cases have died. 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. There is currently no indication that raw milk or meat is associated with the outbreak. 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, Sweden, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain have reported cases of HUS, related to the ongoing outbreak. Number of HUS cases and associated deaths per EU Member States as of 2 June 2011, 11:00 Member States Number of HUS cases Number of death associated Countries reporting cases Denmark 7 0 Germany 470 9 Sweden 15 1 The Netherlands 4 0 The United Kingdom 2 0 Spain  1 0 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. Read more Escherichia coli (E.coli) health topic site: See ECDC risk assessment, list of all epidemiological updates, disease information