Abstract
The Netherlands experienced a nationwide outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 with onset of symptoms from the end of December 2008 until the end of January 2009. A total of 20 laboratory-confirmed cases were linked to the outbreak strain, serotype O157: H-, stx1, stx2, eae and e-hly positive. The investigation into the source of this outbreak is still ongoing, but evidence so far suggests that infection occurred as a result of consuming contaminated raw meat (steak tartare).
Highlights
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause bloody diarrhoea which progresses to a life-threatening condition known as the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in 2-15% of the cases, children [1,2]
Results of food tracing All left over food samples collected by the VWA tested negative for STEC O157
International response Nine countries responded to the information request (Belgium, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Norway, England and Wales, Scotland, United States and Denmark), none of which reported current STEC O157 cases with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles related to the outbreak strain
Summary
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause bloody diarrhoea which progresses to a life-threatening condition known as the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in 2-15% of the cases, children [1,2]. STEC O157 is the serogroup most commonly identified in outbreaks. Infection can occur through direct contact with animals, most human infections are probably foodborne; water or food products (undercooked beef, raw milk, vegetables such as lettuce and alfalfa) contaminated with manure have often been linked to common source outbreaks. All STEC-positive isolates identified in laboratories across the country are sent to the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Since the start of the surveillance the number of STEC O157 infections reported annually ranged from 35 to 57 between 1999 and 2006, increased to 83 cases in 2007 as a result of a national outbreak [6], and dropped to 46 sporadic cases in 2008
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