EHEC epidemic So far 42 fatalities

RKI: EHEC epidemic claims 42 lives so far

23/06/2011

The number of EHEC infections has been falling for days and the most severe EHEC epidemic in Germany seems to be coming to an end. In Germany, since the outbreak of the infection wave in early May, 3,688 people have been infected with the new, particularly aggressive strain of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), 42 people died as a result of the infection, reports the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

Thousands of people have been suffering from the new, particularly aggressive EHEC pathogen strain HUSEC 041 in recent weeks, which in addition to the comparatively harmless symptoms of EHEC such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, frequently causes the so-called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). According to the RKI, 42 people have succumbed to the consequences of an infection with the dangerous intestinal germs in the course of the current epidemic. However, in view of the decline in new infections for days, experts are hoping for an early end to the EHEC crisis.

Number of EHEC deaths has increased to 42
According to the focus of the current EHEC epidemic, most of the fatalities in the northern federal states can be observed. Twelve EHEC deaths were recorded in Lower Saxony, new ones in Schleswig-Holstein and six in Hamburg, reports the RKI. Also in North Rhine-Westphalia, according to the statement of the institute with seven dead relatively many EHEC deaths were to be registered. As a result, Northern Germany is clearly the focus of the epidemic, as is the number of infections. On Thursday, the Robert Koch Institute announced that it had sustained another three deaths, bringing the total number of EHEC deaths to 42. Further information on recent deaths, however, the RKI was also on demand of the news agency „DAPD“ not do. In addition to the renewed EHEC deaths, the RKI also reported 87 new EHEC infections Tuesday to Wednesday. Since the outbreak of the infection wave, 3,688 people throughout Germany have contracted an infection with the new, particularly aggressive EHEC pathogen and / or HUS. (Fp)

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Image: Gerd Altmann, Pixelio.de