WHO Update: E. coli Cases Declining

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that the number of reported cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)/enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly. In Germany, the daily numbers of reported cases have steadily decreased since they peaked on May 22; nevertheless, the cumulative numbers of cases from Germany continue to rise, primarily owing to delays in notification.

Investigations by the German authorities indicate that the vehicle of the bacterium responsible for the outbreak, enteroaggregative verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (EAggEC VTEC) O104:H4, is bean and seed sprouts, and the Robert Koch Institute has warned people in Germany not to eat raw sprouts of any origin.

To access a table showing the reported cases of and deaths from HUS and EHEC infection as of June 20, CLICK HERE.