Between the beginning of May and the end of July 2011, there was an outbreak of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Germany. On 24 June 2011, French authorities also reported an
Between the beginning of May and the end of July 2011, there was an outbreak of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Germany. On 24 June 2011, French authorities also reported an E. coli outbreak in the region of Bordeaux. Since the start of these outbreaks, there were a large number of patients with bloody diarrhoea caused by STEC and an unusually high proportion of these developed haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
A rapid risk assessment by EFSA and ECDC, published 29 June 2011, highlighted the links between the French and German outbreaks, both associated with sprouts. In both outbreaks the rare strain of E. coli O104:H4 was confirmed. Based on the assessment, fenugreek sprouts were identified as the most likely connection between the French cases and the German outbreak.
What is STEC? How can it be avoided?
All humans and animals carry the bacteria called Escherichia coli (E.coli) in their intestines – they are part of our normal flora and usually harmless. However, there are certain types of E. coli strains that are a risk to human health including those that are capable of producing toxins. These strains are called STEC/VTEC (shiga toxin or verotoxin-producing E. coli) or EHEC (enterohaemorrhagic E. coli), and their toxins have the potential to cause bloody diarrhoea and Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can be fatal. In the EU and as reflected in EFSA’s work on zoonoses, Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli is referred to as VTEC (verotoxin-producing E. coli) but the term STEC was used for this outbreak as it is in line with terminology used by WHO and other organisations.
Transmission of STEC infection mainly occurs through eating or handling contaminated food and contact with infected animals. Food can also be contaminated from infected humans handling it. Further person-to-person transmission is possible among close contacts (families, childcare centres, nursing homes, etc).
Together with the ECDC, EFSA published public health advice related to general food hygiene practices and related to the most likely source of the outbreaks. Based on their assessments carried out at the time of the outbreaks in Germany and France, EFSA and ECDC strongly recommended advising consumers not to grow sprouts for their own consumption and also not to eat sprouts or sprouted seeds unless they had been cooked thoroughly (i.e. cooked until steaming hot throughout, not just warm).
On 3 October 2011, EFSA updated its advice to consumers and withdrew its initial recommendations following the removal from the