MOH raises alert for E.

coli outbreak
By Faris Mokhtar |SingaporeScene Thu, Jun 2, 2011

Slices of cucumber and a tomato slice are pictured in this illustration photo taken in Berlin May 30, 2011. REUTERS/Pawel The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued an alert to all medical practitioners and hospitals to keep watch and inform the ministry of any suspected cases of E. coli infection linked to the outbreak in Germany. In a statement to the media on Thursday, MOH said that it is monitoring the outbreak of haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by the Escherichia coli -- E. coli in short -bacteria in Germany and Europe closely. It added that the HUS is a life-threatening disease that is characterised by renal failure. Apart from that, the syndrome is also characterized by low red blood cell levels and clotting abnormalities, said Dr Douglas Chan, who is an associate consultant at the National University Hospitals division of microbiology. According to MOH, the bacterium is commonly found in the intestines of humans and warmblooded animals such as cows. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some strains such as enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) can cause severe diarrhoeal disease. It can be transmitted to human primarily through consumption of contaminated foods such as raw or undercooked meat and ground meat products, unpasteurised milk and uncooked vegetables. The bacteria, however, can be destroyed by cooking food at a temperature of 70 degrees celsius. The ministry also advised Singaporeans who are travelling to Germany to follow these precautionary measures; practice good hygiene, avoid eating leafy vegetables, raw tomatoes and cucumbers as well as to ensure that food is thoroughly cooked before consumption. Those returning from Germany should immediately seek medical attention if and when they develop diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

It was reported that the outbreak had caused more than 14 fatalities and 300 people to be seriously ill in Germany alone. It is understood that the government has yet to trace the source of the deadly outbreak. While the outbreak appears to be mainly contained within Germany for the time being, a few cases have been reported in other European countries such as Sweden, UK, Denmark and the Netherlands. But those infected had previously travelled to Germany recently, said the ministry. In light of this situation, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is also taking the precautionary measure of placing imported leafy vegetables, cucumbers and tomatoes from the European Union (EU) under its hold-and-test procedure, should there be any such imports. This procedure means that the products will only be released for sale once they are certified to be clean of any contaminants. Vegetables from the European Union form an estimated 2 per cent of Singapore's total vegetable imports. Other countries have also taken similar steps to curb the bacteria outbreak. Russia for instance, has issued a blanket ban on the import of all EU vegetable products. Dr Chan also stressed on the importance of ensuring good hygience practices when dealing with food products, regardless whether there is an outbreak. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed. Bacteria are killed if vegetables are cooked. Keeping cooked foods apart from raw foods to avoid contamination and proper hand hygiene. These are practices that should be in force at all times whether or not there is an outbreak."