New cases of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) and bloody diarrhoea (VTEC or EHEC infection, caused by E. coli O104) in Germany have decreased significantly this week.

Since Monday, the German authorities have reported 5 new cases of HUS, bringing the total to 786. A further 71 new cases of bloody diarrhoea were reported, bringing the total to 2518. Three more deaths have been reported in Germany since Monday - all from HUS. The total number of deaths from the outbreak now stands at 39 - 26 from HUS (25 in Germany, one in Sweden) and 13 from bloody diarrhoea (all in Germany).

3 new cases of bloody diarrhoea in England possibly linked to the German outbreak have been reported to the HPA since Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 18. Three had HUS (all in England) and 15 bloody diarrhoea (14 cases in England, one in Scotland). To date, 6 of these have been microbiologically confirmed. All 18 cases are related to recent travel to Germany.

The German authorities reported last week that sprouted seeds such as lentils, alfalfa seeds, fenugreek and adzuki beans were implicated as the vehicle of infection and the current advice is to avoid eating these in Germany. They are also advising that people no longer need to avoid eating raw tomato, lettuce and cucumber.

The HPA advises travellers to Germany to follow the advice from the German authorities and avoid eating locally grown sprouted seeds until further notice.

The next HPA update will be on Thursday 23 June 2011.

Source:
Health Protection Agency