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Dangerous gastrointestinal infection child dies from EHEC infection
In a Munich hospital, a two-year-old girl died of EHEC-infected bacteria. The health of the toddler from the Altötting area had worsened very quickly. The EHEC intestinal germs are usually absorbed via contaminated food.
Severe EHEC epidemic
The EHEC epidemic in 2011 has highlighted the dramatic consequences of infection with bacteria of the genus Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). At that time, according to data of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more than 3,500 people were sometimes seriously ill. But even in normal times, without acute outbreak events, people fall ill again and again at EHEC. In Bavaria, such an infection has now claimed a death toll, according to media reports.
In Bavaria, a two-year-old girl died from an infection with EHEC bacteria. Her sister was also treated for gastrointestinal disease. (Image: DOC RABE Media / fotolia.com) Little girl dies of gastrointestinal infection
A little girl from the district of Altötting (Upper Bavaria) died a few days ago from the consequences of EHEC infection. According to a report by "heimatzeitung.de" the germs had triggered a rare, but extremely serious degree of illness.
The health of the two-year-old had deteriorated rapidly within a few days. The child had therefore been transferred from the Kreisklinik Altötting to Munich. According to the information, it died there on the night of June 1.
According to the report, only one day before the death of the two-year-old, her sister was taken to the Altötting Clinic and also with symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection, she was also transferred to Munich.
According to the health department, her condition is now stable. She could probably be released from the clinic soon.
Bacteria are usually absorbed through contaminated food
EHEC intestinal germs are usually absorbed via contaminated food. Transmission from person to person is possible via a smear infection, ie from hand to hand.
Even when touching infected animals such as cows, sheep or goats, the bacteria can reach the hands and from there into the mouth. Children should therefore thoroughly wash their hands after caressing animals.
A major symptom of EHEC infection is watery diarrhea (often bloody diarrhea), usually accompanied by severe spasmodic abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.
The various sequelae can be associated with a variety of other symptoms.
In particularly severe cases, the development of a so-called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), including kidney damage, which can even lead to kidney failure, is threatened. In the end, at worst, a fatal multi-organ failure ensues.
Since EHEC is extremely contagious, the outbreak is continuously monitored by the responsible health authorities. (Ad)