Well, it seems that the German authorities are convinced that the source of the STEC E. coli epidemic is bean sprouts from a farm in northern Germany. However, it is a puzzle to me how they arrived at this conclusion as all reports seem to indicate that they have not been able to find any E coli in samples tested. So they are not sure whether the E coli was in the seeds or were brought in by the workers or any other means. Meanwhile the toll rises. As of Sunday 12th June, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that since 2 May 2011, a total of 3,283 STEC E. coli cases (809 cases of HUS and 2 474 non-HUS cases) have been reported from European Union Member States, the majority of which occurred in Germany. Of these, 35 of the patients have died. All deaths occurred in Germany except for one in Sweden. This is an increase of 384 cases (including 8 deaths) since my post on Friday!
I have not come across any reports of any Hong Kong resident afflicted by this disease. Thank goodness. Let's keep it this way. Be vigilant everyone and stay healthy.
No comments:
Post a Comment