Source American Society for Microbiology
# 5964
One of the biggest infectious disease stories of the summer of 2011 was the sudden outbreak of EHEC enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli that sickened more than 4000 people (causing more than 50 fatalities) across 13 nations in Europe.
ECDC: Lessons Learned On EHEC Outbreak
While E. Coli outbreaks are not uncommon, this outbreak was caused by a new strain of the microbe that produced unusually severe symptoms, including HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome), which can be life threatening.
The CDC has details on 13 major outbreak investigations they’ve conducted over the past 5 years on their E. coli information page, involving such diverse food sources as frozen pizzas, ground beef patties, cheese, and hazelnuts.
You’ll also find information about several different types of E. coli, including:
- Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
- Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)
- Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
Adding to these existing resources, today I was happy to stumble across a newly released 16-page PDF format FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on E. coli created by the American Society for Microbiology.
A copy of FAQ – E. coli: Good, Bad and Deadly can be found online at: http://bit.ly/aamecolifaq
This is a terrific and timely resource, and provides a great deal of information in a painless and readable format. It is going into my reference folder.
The ASM has a press release describing this FAQ which you can read at the link below:
Report Answers Questions about E. coli: The Good, the Bad and the Deadly
CONTACT: Jim Sliwa
jsliwa@asmusa.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- November 15, 2011 -- It has been the cause of infamous international foodborne disease outbreaks and yet it is the most studied bacterium in science, an essential part of the human digestive tract, and a backbone of the biotech industry. To enhance public understanding of the bacterium Escherichia coli, the American Academy of Microbiology brought together the nation’s leading experts to consider and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this multifaceted microorganism.
“The story of E. coli, what we are trying to tell in this report, is really much larger than just its role as a pathogen. It’s been such a large component of research for so long – so much of what we know about biology has come from studying E. coli,” says Michael Doyle of the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety, a member of the steering committee.
The report, entitled FAQ – E.coli: Good, Bad and Deadly is based on the deliberations of 13 of the nation’s leading experts who met for one day in September 2011 to develop clear answers to frequently asked questions regarding the role of E. coli in scientific research, human health and foodborne disease.
