The last UPDATE I wrote for you was on June 10, 2011. The eCDC provides daily updates which you can find here anytime:
LINK: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/escherichia_coli/Pages/index.aspx
Here is a comparison of case numbers for today, June 14, 2011 and for my last update on June 10, 2011:
(Note: there is HUS STEC and non-HUS STEC. HUS stands for 'Hemolytic-uremic syndrome')
Number of Cases: Subtotals and Totals of Numbers shown in eCDC data chart below:
HUS (d) non-HUS (d) Total STEC (DEATHS)
June 10 2011 795 (22) 2,287 (9) 3,082 (31)
June 14, 2011 818 (23) 2,514 (13) 3,332 (36)
In other words, in four days, there have been 250 more STEC cases (HUS and non-HUS) in the EU/EEA and five additional deaths.
Per the sprouts situation: "The German Authorities have indicated that food items originating from a distinct producer in Lower Saxony (Germany) are the most likely vehicle of the infection. The German Authorities also declared that all food products (e.g. bean sprouts and other vegetables) originating from the mentioned producer in Lower Saxony shall be taken from the market." (June 13, 2011 update)
LINK: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1109&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews
Additional information on food concerns can be found here at the EFSA ( European Food Safety Authority, which is like the FDA in the US) site:
LINK: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2274.htm
At this time, authorities are still trying to determine the exact nature of this E. coli strain, which has characteristics of bacteria found in both humans and animals.
In the 'vernacular', epidemiologists are trying to figure out 'which came first-the chicken or the egg'. But no matter what 'morphed' into what, it is evident that this new E. coli type infectious agent is virulent (contagious and capable of causing severe illness) indeed.
The German outbreak strain seems to share virulence characteristics of STEC and EAEC strains. STEC strains usually have an animal reservoir, while EAEC have a human reservoir. Infections in humans caused by similar strains (same serotype, same phylogroup, same MLST type, and with similar virulence gene array) have been reported in the past, and as such, the strain could not be regarded as “new”. However this outbreak strain is rare, and until now it has never been found to be responsible for the rate of infection and severity of disease seen during the current outbreak. Sequence analysis and comparative genomics will be able to show if the outbreak strain is an EAEC that acquired EHEC virulence determinants, or vice versa. The antimicrobial resistance genotype of the outbreak strain, and the molecular typing of the blaCTX-M-15-containing plasmid, could provide some clues on the epidemiology of this pathogen.
The strain responsible for all this illness is RARE, but not unheard of.
However, it has never in the past been known to cause SO MUCH DISEASE...and the disease it causes is particularly SEVERE. This much is known.
Also, the ORIGIN of the outbreak (what vegetables or other foods are contaminated) is, as yet, not FULLY known.
However, lower Saxony sprouts have been singled out as the most likely vehicle of infection and residents are urged to avoid them and if they have them, to throw them away.
Directives below also indicate that 'earlier recommendations to avoid CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES and LETTUCE from Northern Germany need NOT be upheld anymore.
However, my suggestion is to 'take care with what you eat', as always, and buy from reliable sources. And be sure to implement suitable GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES, which will include washing all vegetables and fruits well and using clean cutting tools and surfaces.
"The German Authorities have indicated that food items originating from a distinct producer in Lower Saxony (Germany) are the most likely vehicle of the infection. The German Authorities also declared that all food products (e.g. bean sprouts and other vegetables) originating from the mentioned producer in Lower Saxony shall be taken from the market.
Additional recommendations from the German Authorities are to adhere to good hygiene practices when handling food or caring for patients and to abstain from eating raw sprouts. Households and gastronomic businesses in Germany should dispose of any sprouts currently in stock as well as any food items that might have come in contact with these. The earlier recommendation from the German Authorities to abstain from eating cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce in northern parts of Germany does not need to be upheld anymore."(http://www.rki.de/cln_151/nn_217400/EN/Home/PM082011.html)
LINK: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1109&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews
Another LINK on food:
http://www.rki.de/cln_151/nn_217400/EN/Home/PM082011.html The only other thing of note this day is that previously, all deaths had occurred in GERMANY and there is now one death in SWEDEN.
Here are specific numbers in data chart form if you are interested:
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