While two children died of the E.Coli bacterium, the health authorities alerted this weekend to this bacterium which can cause hemolytic and uremic syndromes.
This Saturday, March 12, Public Health France alerted to the increase in cases of hemolytic and uremic syndrome (HUS), caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli. A second child died and SPF reports that “26 cases of HUS or serious infection, linked to E. coli bacteria with similar characteristics, have been identified”, as of March 11.
What is this bacterium?
“Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that resides in the digestive tract of humans and warm-blooded animals“, indicates the Pasteur Institute. Although the majority of E. coli strains are harmless, some present dangers for humans and can cause bloody diarrhea and produce “a potent toxin” at the origin of the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, mentioned above.
If infections in adults are also possible, infections should be monitored very particularly in children. SPF recommends special vigilance “in children under 16 and the elderly”. In addition, the Pasteur Institute points out that the incidence of the infection “reaches its maximum in children under 3 years old.”
In what foods can it be found?
Strains of E. coli, which can cause food poisoning, can be found in animal products (meat or dairy products) that are poorly cooked or eaten raw. Risks can also arise with fresh fruits and vegetables, which have been in contact with EHEC (enterohaemorrhagic E. coli).
How to protect against infection through food?
There are several recommendations to avoid being infected by the bacteria. Public Health France recalls them in its press release.
Regarding animal productsespecially beef, it is therefore recommended to cook them thoroughly and not to eat them pink.
Regarding thedairy products from raw milk, it is not recommended that they be consumed by children under five years of age and it is recommended to give preference to “cooked pressed cheeses (such as Emmental, Comté, Gruyère, Beaufort), processed cheese spreads and cheeses made from pasteurized milk “.
Flour preparations must also be subject to a certain vigilance. It is therefore recommended not to consume pizza, cake dough, cookie dough or raw or undercooked pie dough.
As for the cooked meals or leftover food, be careful to put them in the fridge quickly and consume them quickly.
Other precautions
Apart from diet, other preventive measures can be adopted to avoid infection. For example, in addition to washing your hands well, Public Health France reminds that it is preferable to avoid contact between children under 5 and animals such as cows, sheep, goats, etc.
You should also not drink untreated or filtered water, such as water from a lake or a torrent, and be sure to clean the kitchen utensils and the work surface.