3 June 2011
The recent E.coli outbreak in northern Germany has prompted the most senior microbiologist at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals to issue words of advice to local people.
Dr Sharon Chambers is the lead doctor for infection control and prevention at the Trust. She said: "This particular strain of E.coli (a rare type known as VTEC O104) usually causes self-limiting gastroenteritis, an unpleasant illness that nevertheless resolves itself, but can also cause serious diarrhoea and 'haemolytic uraemic syndrome' (HUS) which results in kidney failure.
"It has already caused approximately 1,200 cases of infection in Germany and, sadly, 18 deaths. So far in the UK, there have been three cases, but this has been restricted to people who have recently been to Germany.
"Anyone returning from Germany who is unwell - including if they have bloody diarrhoea - should seek urgent medical advice from their GP and make sure they mention where they have travelled to and from."
The Health Protection Agency, who are the UK's experts on E.coli, are advising travellers to Germany, particularly the north of the country, to follow the advice of the German authorities and avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce whilst abroad.
The UK Food Standards Agency, the government department responsible for food safety, is monitoring the situation carefully and their current advice is that there is no evidence that any affected produce has been distributed in the UK.
Nevertheless, it is sensible to wash all salad vegetables and uncooked fruit in clean running tap water before eating. Washing your hands with soap and warm water before carrying out any food preparation is also vital.
Dr Chambers added: "E.coli can be easily spread, especially if an infected person is preparing food for others. Washing you hands with soap and water, keeping raw and cooked food separate from each other and washing fruit and vegetables carefully if they are to be eaten raw are the most important ways to safeguard against food-borne infection."
