EHEC Virus Causes Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS)

The enterohaemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC) virus, which can cause the deadly haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS), is spreading in Europe. More than 1,500 people in nine nations have been infected with deaths of 17 people reported.

EHEC is a deadly strain of E. coli bacteria, which is found in the digestive systems of cows, humans and other mammals.

On Tuesday, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 1169 cases of EHEC, and said 470 people were suffering from HUS, up from 373 on Monday.

More than 60% of the EHEC cases in Germany have been women – 88% over the age of 20 – and nearly 90% of the HUS cases have been women over the age of 20, officials have said.

Experts have said this may be because women were the ones most likely to be eating fresh produce or handling food in the kitchen.

In addition to Germany, cases of EHEC have also been reported in eight other European countries – Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, the WHO said. All but two of those infected either live in Germany or recently travelled to Germany.

Fifteen cases of HUS and one related death have also been reported in Sweden, seven cases in Denmark, three in the Netherlands, two in the UK, and one in Spain, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Several countries have taken steps to curtail the outbreak, such as banning cucumber imports and removing the vegetables from sale.

Health authorities have also advised people to wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly, to do the same with all cutlery and plates, and to wash their hands before meals.