Danger from anthrax pathogens in beef

Warning of contaminated beef - Possible exposure to anthrax pathogens

22/10/2014

In the past five days, numerous warnings have been issued on various beef products, as the processed beef may be contaminated with bacteria of the genus Bacillus anthracis - the causative agent of anthrax. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has on its website „Lebensmittelwarnung.de“ First warned last Friday before the consumption of German corned beef from the manufacturer Könecke Wurstfabrikation GmbH & Co KG as well as fresh beef roulades, fresh beef goulash and fresh beef cereal of the country slaughterhouse Hanke.

Since then, numerous other warnings have followed on various beef products because of potential contamination with the Bacillus anthracis. According to the BVL, "the roast beef of the company Struzina-Rauschen GmbH, beef: bullet of the Rullko SB wholesale market, the beef was: Beef seaweed roll flew the producer DUSP meat & service GmbH, the roast beef of REWE-shoots, roast beef of the Frank Alfert GmbH & Co. KG as well as beef: beef ball, roast beef from the butcher Werner Pieper GmbH and roast beef, fried by Horten KG. " Since health risks can not be excluded, "a consumption of the products is strongly discouraged". The exact product names and lot numbers can be up „Lebensmittelwarnung.de“ be read.

Numerous beef products taken out of the sale
At least two of the cattle processed in the products were produced by the Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen „from a Slovak company where anthrax was detected in one animal at the end of September.“ Traceability of supplies has now also led to several German processors, butchers and retailers. Although infection of the animals with the pathogen is unlikely, it can not be ruled out with complete certainty. „Therefore, for reasons of preventive consumer protection, the warnings have been published“, so the message of the consumer center. All products still on the market were blocked for sale and recalled. However, most of the goods were probably already sold in the period from late September to early October, reports the Consumer Protection Center on. The affected food can also be returned without proof of purchase for a refund of the purchase price in the respective stores.

Skin, lung and intestinal spasms
Anthrax infections in humans are generally rare, but pathogens for ungulates, such as cattle and sheep, present a significant risk that can eradicate all stocks. In humans, three different forms of anthrax are distinguished: cutaneous anthrax, pulmonary anthrax and intestinal anthrax. The Hautmilzbrand holds for those affected the least risk, but it can also be fatal. Pulmonary anthrax develops when the anthrax spores enter the lungs and spread out. The result is cough, shortness of breath, high fever and chills. The death rate in this anthrax form is relatively high and not infrequently die infected within a week of a septic shock. The consumption of contaminated beef may in rare cases also cause intestinal spasms, which are associated with severe symptoms such as severe diarrhea, blood in the stool or bloody vomiting. Here, too, threatened the victims in the further course of a blood poisoning with organ failure. The treatment of anthrax infection usually takes place with antibiotics. (Fp)