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Variant of the E-coli bacteria
In the summer of 2011, Europe was under the spell of an infection with the EHEC bacterium, a variant of the E.coli bacterium. But what exactly is the EHEC bacteria and how do you become infected? Health Net asked Harald Wychgel, spokesman for the RIVM.
What exactly is the EHEC bacteria?
“The EHEC bacterium is one of the variants of the well-known E.coli bacterium, which normally occurs in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. The EHEC bacterium produces a toxic substance in the intestine. It stands for Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli , which means it can cause a colitis that can lead to bleeding.”
How do you get infected with EHEC?
“EHEC always comes from livestock manure. The bacteria can get through the manure in raw meat, in unpasteurized milk or other dairy products, on vegetables that have come into contact with manure in some way, and in surface water. Most infections we have seen in the past come from raw or undercooked beef, such as ground beef, hamburgers and filet americain, but there is also a small chance that you can contract it after visiting the petting zoo. also infect other people, through the faeces.”
What happens if you get infected?
“The disease course of an EHEC infection can vary greatly. It does not make everyone sick, others get mild diarrhoea, but it can also cause severe diarrhea with severe abdominal cramps, usually without fever. It can be accompanied by vomiting and nausea. After one The diarrhea can become bloody for up to three days.People usually go to the doctor.The complaints last two to nine days and often go away on their own.
“In 2 to 7 percent of infected people, a complication of the kidneys, the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), can develop within two weeks after the infection by the bacteria. Children younger than 5 years have a slightly higher chance of HUS. As far as we know, one person in the Netherlands, a woman, has serious kidney problems. This woman was in northern Germany shortly before her illness. The number of reports of EHEC has not yet increased in the Netherlands. We have asked doctors to be extra vigilant on the symptoms of the disease. We also asked them to continue to ask questions especially in cases of diarrhoea.”
“Many people, especially women, have been infected with EHEC in Germany. So there are also a few hundred people there with HUS. The chance that you will die from it is small. Some of the people with HUS, 0 to 15 percent, can developing diabetes mellitus.”
How can you prevent infection?
“You prevent contamination by observing the usual, well-known hygiene measures. So heat meat well, wash kitchen utensils that have come into contact with raw meat immediately and prevent cross-contamination. Raw vegetables should always be washed well. Also cutting boards after preparation. of meat and vegetables. Replace dishcloths and towels often and ensure that all family members wash their hands well, for example after a visit to the petting zoo. Personal hygiene when visiting the toilet is of course also very important.”
Is the bacterium also present in the Netherlands on raw vegetables?
“The Horticultural Product Board and the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority will carry out extra checks on vegetables in the Netherlands. They mainly test salad vegetables for EHEC, such as cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.”