E. Coli Outbreak, Spain And Germany Seek European Level Aid For Spanish Farmers

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Public Health
Article Date: 03 Jun 2011 - 6:00 PDT


Spanish vegetable exporters mistakenly got the blame for the E. coli outbreak that has caused over 1,064 cases of bloody diarrhea and 470 cases of HUS (hemolytic-uremic syndrome) in Germany and some other European countries. So far, 17 people have died. German and Spanish leaders have agreed that they will try to get European Union aid for Spanish farmers who are said to be losing 200 million euros (287 million dollars) per week since recent measures against their products were imposed.

A German government communiqué announced yesterday that Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and expressed sympathy for Spanish farmers.

Europeans have been warned to avoid eating raw lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, which are believed to be the source of the current outbreak.

Some countries, including Belgium and Russia are still not allowing the importation of some Spanish vegetables.

Organizations representing Spanish farmers say 70,000 jobs in the country are in danger if current measures imposed by some countries on its products are not lifted. 21.3% of Spain's active labor force is currently unemployed, the highest figure in the developed world.

Fruit and vegetables make up 6.3% (€11.8 billion annually) of Spain's exports. German farmers are also suffering approximately €30 billion in sales each week, according to local media.

Germany initially claimed that the E. coli outbreak most likely came from Spanish cucumbers. However, there has been no evidence of this. Nobody yet knows what the source of the outbreak is.

Sales of Spanish agricultural products in European supermarkets have plummeted, not only because of restrictions, but also because consumers have been avoiding them. Tons of fruit and vegetables grown in Spain are being dumped.

The European Union has described Russia's reaction as "totally disproportionate", and urges the country to lift its ban on Spanish vegetable imports.

Most deadly E. coli strain yet

In an interview with Reuters, Dr Robert Tauxe of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, said this E. coli strain is probably the most deadly one ever seen. WHO (World Health Organization) describes it as "(a variant) never seen in an outbreak situation before." Beijing Genomics Institute scientists in China said this new E. coli form is highly infectious and toxic.

Number of infections of E. coli and HUS (hemolytic-uremic syndrome) so far in Europe and the USA:

• Austria - E. coli - 2. HUS - 0
• Czech Republic - E. coli - 1. HUS - 0
• Denmark - E. coli - 10. HUS - 7
• France - E. coli - 6. HUS - 0
• Germany - E. coli - 1213. HUS - 520
• Netherlands - E. coli - 4. HUS - 4
• Norway - E. coli - 1. HUS - 0
• Spain - E. coli - 0. HUS - 1
• Sweden - E. coli - 28. HUS - 15
• Switzerland - E. coli - 2. HUS - 0
• UK - E. coli - 4. HUS - 3
• US - E. coli - 0. HUS - 2

HUS (Hemolytic-uremic syndrome)

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome, or HUS is characterized by uremia (acute renal failure), hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). The vast majority of affected patients are children. Elderly individuals may also be vulnerable.

Patients typically have an episode of diarrhea first with severe abdominal cramps, which is caused by E. coli infection. The diarrhea may become bloody. Most patients make a full recovery within seven to ten days. However, about 6% develop HUS. Approximately between 3% and 10% of patients die. A small percentage of survivors develop chronic kidney disease.

HUS is the most common cause of acute kidney failure in young children and infants.

E. coli (Escherichia coli)

Escherichia coli or E. coli is a type of bacteria that line the gut of animals and humans. They also exist in undercooked beef, raw vegetables, tainted water and milk. The majority of strains are harmless, but some can cause food poisoning.

The most common serotype to cause illness in humans is E. coli O157:H7. The current outbreak which began in Germany is E. coli 0104:H4.

E coli poisoning signs and symptoms usually include diarrhea (which may be bloody), abdominal pain, and fever (sometimes). Normally, symptoms disappear one to three days after infection.

Source: WHO, Health Protection Agency (UK).

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations