Now the Norwegian Institute of Public Health is issuing a warning. – This is a serious situation, and many young children have become very ill. This is the largest E. coli outbreak we have had in Norway. This is what section leader Susanne Hyllestad at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) says in a press release. So far between July and October, a total of 24 people have been infected by the dangerous stomach and intestinal infection. More than half of those infected are children under the age of 13. Nine of these have developed the serious complication haemolytic uraemic disease (HUS), which can lead to acute kidney damage. “Up to 10 per cent of children with HUS develop permanent kidney damage and death can occur”, writes FHI. They also warn that the disease is particularly hard on the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Many children infected in Trøndelag 15 people are infected in Trøndelag, where outbreaks have occurred in several kindergartens. Both children and adults are infected. Munkvoll kindergarten in Trondheim and Vidhaugen kindergarten in Malvik are two of the places where E.coli was detected during October. FHI says that they are working closely with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Veterinary Institute and concerned municipal chief medical officers. The outbreak bacterium has been found in hamburger, but also in other minced meat and stuffing products, where the same raw materials have been used. These have been withdrawn from the market. – The most important thing people themselves can do to reduce the risk of getting sick is to thoroughly cook hamburgers, minced meat and other minced meat products, says Hyllestad in the press release. Those who have become ill are all infected in Norway. They are aged 1 to 55 and live in Trøndelag (15), Viken (4), Vestfold and Telemark (2), Innlandet (1), Møre and Romsdal (1) and Nordland (1). Working to find the source of infection The Institute of Public Health points out that the tracing work is complicated, and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority cannot rule out that more products may be withdrawn from the market. 15 of the 24 infected live in Trøndelag. But the whole country is affected. Photo: Roger Myren / news FHI clarifies that it is therefore very important that people follow the advice for good food hygiene. E. coli is found in the normal intestinal flora of all humans and warm-blooded animals. These bacteria are usually harmless as long as they stay in the gut. However, there are some groups of E. coli that can cause intestinal infections in humans. The most serious variant is EHEC, which is the type of bacteria in this outbreak. – The E. coli bacteria die in strong heat, but survive freezing. Therefore, both fresh and frozen products must be thoroughly cooked. In addition, it is important to remember to wash hands and equipment after handling both fresh and frozen meat, says Hyllestad in the press release. EHEC bacteria are easily contagious between people, so good hand hygiene is important after visiting the toilet, as well as before cooking and eating, states FHI.
ttn-69
Large outbreak of E.coli is not over, FHI warns parents of young children – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
