The spectre of verotoxin-producing E. coli (of which E. coli O157 is the most well-known serotype) has emerged once again. Between the 1st May and 20th July of this year, an outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 in Germany and continental Europe resulted in 3,039 cases of infection with an additional 727 cases of the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). More than 50 people died due to the infection making this the largest and most deadly VTEC outbreak ever recorded. An article by Kevin Pollock, Health Protection Scotland, on the new strain is attached.
Kevin will be giving a presentation on VTEC at the REHIS Annual Trainers’ Update Seminar in Edinburgh on the 19th October. For more information go to http://www.rehis.com/event/rehis-trainers%E2%80%99-update-seminar-0
