Authorities order EHEC mass test

Authorities order EHEC mass test: Nearly 1,000 people are being tested for EHEC

04/07/2011

EHEC mass test in the district of Paderborn. The authorities have ordered after the increased occurrence of EHEC infections in the district of Paderborn a mass test in which nearly 1,000 people are to be examined for a possible infection with the EHEC pathogens.

While the number of EHEC infections has been declining throughout Germany in recent weeks, in some regions more and more people have become infected with the dangerous intestinal germs. For example, in the Paderborn district, where at a primary school in Altenbeken, three boys had contracted the life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of infection with the new, particularly aggressive EHEC pathogens of strain O104: H4. In order to limit the risk of further spread of the pathogens, the authorities in Paderborn have now ordered an EHEC mass test.

EHEC mass test for customers of the catering company
After three students of the elementary school Altenbeken were ill with the particularly aggressive new EHEC pathogens, initial investigations have shown that both three employees of the food distribution as well as an employee of the competent catering company were infected with the dangerous intestinal bacteria - but without the typical EHEC Symptoms had occurred. To determine the source of the infections and minimize the risk of further infection, the authorities have now ordered an EHEC mass test. The stool samples will be examined by almost 1,000 customers of the catering company.

Catering company suspected as origin of EHEC infections
The butcher Schroeder from Bad Lippspringe has as a caterer not only the primary school in Altenbeken, but also several further schools and kindergartens as well as senior citizens „food on wheels“ supplies. Therefore, the stool samples of about 500 children from 25 schools and kindergartens as well as the samples of 300 senior citizens and 126 other persons are to be examined for a possible EHEC infection, reports the district health office. Other people include the staff of the food and the caterer. The seniors are also being examined, as also an 88-year-old and a 91-year-old, who were supplied with the food of the butchery, contracted an EHEC infection.

High transmission risk of EHEC pathogens
From the point of view of the health authorities, the mass test is necessary because at present a relatively large number of people can carry and pass on the dangerous intestinal germs without themselves having the symptoms of an EHEC infection. Thus informed the circle Paderborn that 14 other children were infected with the EHEC pathogen in Altenbeken, „without being ill.“ Therefore continue to aim „All investigations to find and close the source“, stressed the head of the district health department, Dr. med. Georg Everything. To ensure the smooth running of the EHEC mass test, the authorities „provide additional staff to carry out the very time-consuming research“, supplemented district administrator Manfred Müller opposite the „Westfalenblatt“. (Fp)

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Picture: Markus Wegner