E. coli outbreak leaves 53 sick in Latvia

Riga, April 4 (IANS) An outbreak of a dangerous Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection in Latvia has left 53 people, including seven adults, ill, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said.

According to the CDC, cases of E. coli have been confirmed in 28 schools, 26 preschool institutions, and two elementary schools across the country.

The Children's Clinical University Hospital in Riga has treated 28 children for the infection. As of Thursday, 12 of them had recovered and were discharged, while 16 remained hospitalised, including four in intensive care.

Epidemiologists have not yet identified the source of the infection. After extensive laboratory testing and contact tracing, investigators assume the outbreak may be linked to contaminated food products. However, the CDC also did not rule out a mixed-source outbreak, possibly involving a product contaminated with multiple pathogens, Xinhua news agency reported.

The CDC said that Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are normally present in the intestines of both humans and animals and are typically harmless. However, certain strains -- known as STEC or VTEC (Shiga toxin or verotoxin-producing E. coli) -- can produce dangerous toxins that cause severe illness.

These strains can lead to bloody diarrhoea and, in some cases, acute kidney failure requiring intensive care. Herbivorous animals, particularly cattle, are the main reservoir of these harmful bacteria.

Latvia reported 42 cases of E. coli infection last year.

According to the World Health Organization, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can cause severe foodborne disease. It is transmitted to humans primarily through the consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, and contaminated raw vegetables and sprouts.

--IANS

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