EHEC wave reaches northern Germany: Alarm in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg!

EHEC wave reaches northern Germany: Alarm in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg!

The Ehec virus is sounding the alarm again in northern Germany. While the wave of infections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania peaked a few weeks ago, it has now also reached Schleswig-Holstein. According to Helmut Fickenscher, chief virologist at the Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in Kiel, the state currently has a total of 14 confirmed cases of Ehec infections. Tragically, one person among those affected is seriously affected, while seven other patients require treatment in hospital. World reports that two cases in Hamburg have also been assigned to the current outbreak, while another case is waiting for final sampling.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at the beginning of October, an outbreak caused a lot of excitement: a total of 126 illnesses were reported, with 65 of them being classified as confirmed cases and 61 as suspected cases, as the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGuS) states. It is striking that the diseases in North Rhine-Westphalia can also be traced back to the same strain of pathogen.

What are EHEC and their dangers?

But what exactly is behind these alarming numbers? EHEC, or Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, is a dangerous variant of the well-known intestinal bacterium. These special bacteria produce the cytotoxic Shiga toxin, which is released into the human intestine and triggers inflammatory-like reactions in the cells. Loud Helmholtz This can be fatal: In around 10% of cases, patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to the dissolution of red blood cells and serious complications, including acute kidney failure.
Here again in all clarity: HUS can not only severely impair the quality of life, but in the worst case it can even be fatal.

The transmission of EHEC bacteria usually occurs via infected food, with raw milk products in particular being a common source. It is no wonder that memories of the devastating 2011 outbreak in northern Germany, in which around 50 people lost their lives, are being brought back. At that time, the aggressive strain “O104:H4” was responsible for the epidemic, with contaminated fenugreek sprouts being identified as the trigger.

Warnings and Recommendations

The visual signs of an EHEC infection are primarily severe and often bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and occasionally a slight fever. Experts therefore recommend drinking plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea to compensate for the loss of salt and water. In severe cases, antibiotics may be necessary, but these should be used with caution as they may increase the risk of developing HUS.

The scientists at the Helmholtz Center have set themselves the goal of better understanding the infection mechanisms of EHEC germs and how the Shiga toxin works in order to better prevent future outbreaks. Until then, Prudentia remains popular: pay attention to what you eat and follow hygiene regulations.