Health authorities warn about EHEC symptoms

Has the EHEC infection source been discovered? Health authorities warn against eating sprouts

06/06/2011

The cause of EHEC infections seems clear. The dangerous gut germs were most likely spread with the sprouts of a nursery from the district of Uelzen, said the Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture. If you experience typical EHEC symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.

After speculating in recent weeks about various causes of the current wave of EHEC infection, the Lower Saxony Minister of Agriculture has now named a nursery from the district of Uelzen as a source of dangerous pathogens. The sprouts pulled in the farm are said to have been transmitted by the EHEC germs. Thus, the question of the cause of the increased number of infections with the new dangerous bacterial strain of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) seems to be on the brink of enlightenment, but the uncertainty among the population remains high.

EHEC infections: sprouts possible cause
Although the cause of the infections with the new particularly aggressive strain of EHEC pathogens (HUSEC 41 / O104: H4 called) could apparently be clarified, the uncertainty in the population has not yet settled. Many are skeptical given the previous warnings about cucumbers and tomatoes, they do not know how to classify the new information from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture. The concern about infection with the dangerous intestinal bacteria is still great. In order to inform the population as comprehensively as possible, the state health authorities, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have in recent days collected all questions on the subject of EHEC and the spread of current infections. Misunderstandings and misinformation were not uncommon, since the timely publication of findings to protect the population was partly in contradiction to the requirement for a thorough search (see EHEC find on Spanish cucumbers). However, as far as indications of possible symptoms of EHEC infection are concerned, the most comprehensive information available to the population was undoubtedly the right approach, as the signs of the disease are otherwise misinterpreted as normal gastrointestinal influenza in the early stages.

Health authorities warn against EHEC symptoms
The most important symptoms of EHEC infection include severe diarrheal diseases, which can lead to further complications in an aqueous-bloody diarrhea. Severe spasmodic abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting are further signs of possible EHEC infection. At the latest on the occurrence of watery, bloody bowel movements a doctor should urgently be consulted, since the so-called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a possible result of EHEC infection can lead to significant, potentially fatal, health impairments. Furthermore, symptoms such as kidney pain, elevated liver values ​​and uremia (uraemia) in the sequelae of EHEC infections are not uncommon. The new pathogen HUSEC 41, which is responsible for the current EHEC infection wave, has very often very severe disease outcomes. For example, about 25 percent of the 2,231 EHEC infected persons currently registered by the RKI in Germany have been diagnosed with HUS and, according to official statements, at least 18 persons have been confirmed to have died of EHEC infection. In most cases, acute renal failure as a result of HUS was the cause of death.

EHEC source of infection found - but caution is required
According to the experts, since the incubation period for an infection with the EHEC pathogens is between two and ten days, the number of diseases can continue to increase in the coming days - although the source of infection could apparently be clarified. Since the infected persons can also act as transmitters of the infections, attention should continue to be paid to the observance of strict hygiene standards - especially in the case of contact with small children or immunocompromised persons, the RKI warns. Because even the smallest amounts of the pathogens are sufficient, according to the experts, to trigger an EHEC infection. The RKI also recommends that the recommendations of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (www.bfr.bund.de) be observed. In addition, the RKI will ask physicians to seek EHEC detection in the stool of potentially affected patients. If the EHEC infection takes a serious course of the disease and threatens a HUS disease, the treating physicians should especially treat their patients „closely monitor and refer to appropriate treatment centers at the first sign of HUS“, reminded the RKI. According to the experts, the symptoms of „EHEC-associated HUS disorders“ usually within a week after the onset of diarrhea. (Fp)

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WHO: New EHEC pathogen triggers infections
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EHEC Causes: The pathogen on the trail
EHEC: No raw fruits and vegetables for pregnant women
Symptoms of EHEC infection

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