Deadly E Coli Outbreak In Europe

[lizbud]

Have been reading the news about a particular deadly strain of E Coli
spreading throught EU right now. Seems to be a new strain that they haven't
heard much about till now. I hope all of our EU PTers stay safe and skip the
fresh veggies till they find the cause of the outbreak.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe...html?hpt=hp_t2

[Randi]

Yes, it's horrible! I believe 17 people in Denmark has been infected, one died. There are lots more cases in North Germany. Let's hope they find what causes it.

Here's what Copenhagen Post say: http://www.cphpost.dk/news/technolog...eria-link.html

One more link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english201...c_13908113.htm

[Barbara]

I agree it's scary. They do know finally that it is a new cross of already known bacteria but they have no idea where they came from originally. 10-100 of the beasts are enough for an infection - that's not much if you talk about bacteria. And antibiotics encourage them to produce more toxines....
Still- the probability is low that you get it but you have no idea how you could avoid it.

[Karen]

You will all be in our prayers. Cook all vegetable thoroughly in the meantime, okay?

[Freedom]

Just saw brief update on this on the TV news. The strain of e coli is unusual, striking many young people, and having neurological impact including difficulty speaking, and paralysis.

We keep using antibiotics, and bacteria keeps mutating and getting stronger. O rso it seems.

[lizbud]

Just saw brief update on this on the TV news. The strain of e coli is unusual, striking many young people, and having neurological impact including difficulty speaking, and paralysis.

We keep using antibiotics, and bacteria keeps mutating and getting stronger. O rso it seems.

It is very scary that so many are having much more serious reactions
to this new strain & they can't seem to find anything to fight the infection.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=13722361

[cassiesmom]

Right before Christmas there were 50 or 75 cases of Salmonella food poisoning in the Midwest, that were thought to be related to alfalfa sprouts used by Jimmy John's sandwich shops. I wonder why sprouts are so prone to food-borne illnesses.

[Kirsten]

I wonder why sprouts are so prone to food-borne illnesses.

1. Because they are grown in drums in a humid, warm environment which is also ideal for all kinds of germs

2. Because the germs are not only on the surface, but also inside the seeds.

[Kirsten]

Okay, it has reached my hometown, two men are in hospital, and EHEC has been confirmed. Wonder where they picked it up...

While the sprouts from that particular organic farm are still considered to be the culprit, e.coli (the mutated strain we're dealing with) has also been found in a trash bin where a family has disposed the rests of their cucumbers. The entire family has become sick, btw. So, the original suspect, cucumbers, are back in the race. Obviously there are several sources, which I think is really scary. Wonder if our food will ever be safe again.

By now, I'm really beginning to miss eating salad, or anything fresh. All our vegetables need to be cooked, otherwise the risk is too high. Even strawberries are a potential danger. It's so frustrating!

[Randi]

Gosh, do be careful, Kirsten!

They must know which vegetables are safe to eat now. Haven't they made lists of what people who was affected have eaten? It's a big job doing that, but what else can they do to find out.

Yesterday, they said that the organic farm was in the clear. I do hope so!

[Kirsten]

Gosh, do be careful, Kirsten!

They must know which vegetables are safe to eat now. Haven't they made lists of what people who was affected have eaten? It's a big job doing that, but what else can they do to find out.

Yesterday, they said that the organic farm was in the clear. I do hope so!

Yup, sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes, and green salad. We've been recommended not to eat any of these raw, and as for other vegetables and fruit, to wash them carefully, especially when eaten raw. To be on the safe side, I'm eating nothing raw at all, but it's getting frustrating, I'm really craving for something fresh by now.