E Coli 0157 In Surrey: Update

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 14 Sep 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Health Protection Agency reports that the total number of cases of E Coli 0157 linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey tonight remains at 36.

Twelve children remain in hospital; three of whom are still seriously ill; six remain stable and three who were being looked after in specialist paediatric units in London have recovered sufficiently to be moved to hospitals nearer their homes.

The HPA is aware of reports in the media about timing of the events leading up to the closure of Godstone Farm in Surrey and set out the following timeline, for clarification:

-- August 27: Surrey-Sussex Health Protection Unit (HPU) receives first lab report of a case of E Coli 0157. Environmental Health officers investigate and learn that case has visited Godstone Farm.

-- August 28: Environmental Health officers contact the farm and advise on the need to reinforce messages about hand washing after petting animals and during visits to farms

-- September 1: HPU informed of three further cases - including the first case in the outbreak who had visited the farm on August 8. Environmental Health officers arrange a site visit to the farm, to be accompanied by a Health Protection team, for September 3.

-- September 3: Farm is inspected by Environmental Health officers with HPA team. Farm is advised that contact with high risk animals should stop. This action has been taken in previous incidents and is both a proportionate and effective response for the scale of incident at that stage.

-- September 3: HPU is informed about four further cases.

-- Sept 4-11: HPU hear about more cases but all had visited the farm before September 3rd when control measures were advised: assumption made that controls were effective

-- September 11, late afternoon: HPU hears about a case who had visited the farm on September 4, triggering advice to close: it is not clear how this case became infected but clear that action needed to protect the public from further exposure to infection.

-- September 12: Farm closed

HPA advice remains that anybody who visited the farm after August 8 or any member of their household, (even if they did not personally visit the farm), who becomes unwell with the following symptoms should seek medical advice or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647:

- diarrhoea (which can be bloodstained)
- vomiting
- fever
- abdominal pain and cramps
- feeling weak or lethargic
- passing less urine than usual
- pallor
- fits

Notes

-- E coli 0157 bacteria usually cause diarrhoea which settles within seven days without treatment. The diarrhoea may contain blood. Occasionally, serious kidney and blood complications can occur. Good hygiene is very important in preventing person-to person spread and small children should be supervised with hand washing after using the toilet and before eating.

--Escherichia coli (commonly referred to as E. coli) is a species of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. There are many different types of E. coli, and while some live in the intestine quite harmlessly, others may cause a variety of diseases. The bacterium is found in faeces and can survive in the environment.

-- To avoid getting strains capable of causing intestinal disease people should avoid eating undercooked meat, in particular inadequately cooked minced beef and avoid drinking unpasteurised milk. Individuals working with uncooked meats or on farms should pay close attention to good hygiene practices, as should visitors to farms.

-- It is important to always wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet and before and after handling food.

--Hand washing in young children should be supervised, especially after handling animals or their surroundings, for instance on a visit to a farm.

More information: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections

Source
Health Protection Agency

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