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Q&A: Farms-linked E.coli outbreak Q&A: Farms-linked E.coli outbreak
(about 21 hours later)
E.coli is a common bug, but some strains are deadlyE.coli is a common bug, but some strains are deadly
Four petting farms have closed some or all of their attractions over feared links to E.coli infections.Four petting farms have closed some or all of their attractions over feared links to E.coli infections.
The largest outbreak - with 49 people, including nine children, infected - is linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey. The largest outbreak - with 57 people, including 10 children, infected - is linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey.
What is the bug at the centre of the cases?What is the bug at the centre of the cases?
E.coli or Escherichia to give it its full name.E.coli or Escherichia to give it its full name.
E.coli is a common bug which is present everywhere in the environment.E.coli is a common bug which is present everywhere in the environment.
Mostly it helps people to stay healthy, but it can also cause illness as well.Mostly it helps people to stay healthy, but it can also cause illness as well.
What has made the farm cases so concerning is the particular strain of E.coli at play.What has made the farm cases so concerning is the particular strain of E.coli at play.
Lab tests have shown it is 0157 - the most serious type. Symptoms can range from mild diarrhoea to haemorrhagic colitis - a combination of severe abdominal cramps and blood in the stools.Lab tests have shown it is 0157 - the most serious type. Symptoms can range from mild diarrhoea to haemorrhagic colitis - a combination of severe abdominal cramps and blood in the stools.
Most people will shake it off within a few days, but children and older people can be particularly hard hit.Most people will shake it off within a few days, but children and older people can be particularly hard hit.
A small proportion may eventually develop serious kidney damage which requires dialysis treatment or a transplant.A small proportion may eventually develop serious kidney damage which requires dialysis treatment or a transplant.
How have people been infected?How have people been infected?
This is still at the centre of an investigation by health officials.This is still at the centre of an investigation by health officials.
But there are three basic methods of infection - through contaminated food, touching animals or from the environment.But there are three basic methods of infection - through contaminated food, touching animals or from the environment.
Animals - and cattle in particular - carry this strain of E.coli in their gut. It does not seem to adversely affect them, but can be passed on to humans by eating undercooked meat.Animals - and cattle in particular - carry this strain of E.coli in their gut. It does not seem to adversely affect them, but can be passed on to humans by eating undercooked meat.
It can also be present in their faeces and, as a result, passed on to humans who come in direct contact with them.It can also be present in their faeces and, as a result, passed on to humans who come in direct contact with them.
The bacterium is also quite robust which means it can live in the environment - that is to say on things such as railings and gates - for weeks and some say months.The bacterium is also quite robust which means it can live in the environment - that is to say on things such as railings and gates - for weeks and some say months.
People then touch these surfaces and then by eating food it gets into their body orally.People then touch these surfaces and then by eating food it gets into their body orally.
Undercooked meat used to be the primary source of most 0157 infections.Undercooked meat used to be the primary source of most 0157 infections.
But food production is generally considered to have improved its safety standards over the past 10 years and this is now becoming a less important - albeit still significant - source of infection.But food production is generally considered to have improved its safety standards over the past 10 years and this is now becoming a less important - albeit still significant - source of infection.
What does investigation of the infections involve?What does investigation of the infections involve?
The Health Protection Agency is the government body responsible for investigation outbreaks.The Health Protection Agency is the government body responsible for investigation outbreaks.
Its officials are working with local environmental health officers and the Veterinary Laboratory Agency.Its officials are working with local environmental health officers and the Veterinary Laboratory Agency.
When reports of illnesses at Godstone Farm began to emerge, the agencies initially advised the farm to introduce measures to reduce the risk of infection.When reports of illnesses at Godstone Farm began to emerge, the agencies initially advised the farm to introduce measures to reduce the risk of infection.
This included restricting access to large animals, such as cattle. When further cases emerged, the farm was told to shut its doors to the public.This included restricting access to large animals, such as cattle. When further cases emerged, the farm was told to shut its doors to the public.
Lab tests have already identified the strain 0157 and now officials are concentrating on identifying the source of the infection.Lab tests have already identified the strain 0157 and now officials are concentrating on identifying the source of the infection.
They will do this by analysing data and interviewing those affected to establish any pattern or trends.They will do this by analysing data and interviewing those affected to establish any pattern or trends.
But it could take weeks before any answers are known.But it could take weeks before any answers are known.
How common are E.coli infections?How common are E.coli infections?
There are more than 20,000 reports of E.coli infections each year.There are more than 20,000 reports of E.coli infections each year.
Many of these are in hospital and are among elderly patients.Many of these are in hospital and are among elderly patients.
But cases of 0157 are much rarer. In England and Wales, there were just 950 cases during 2008.But cases of 0157 are much rarer. In England and Wales, there were just 950 cases during 2008.
In the worst recorded outbreak, 20 people died in Scotland in 1996-97 after attending a church lunch in Wishaw, Strathclyde.In the worst recorded outbreak, 20 people died in Scotland in 1996-97 after attending a church lunch in Wishaw, Strathclyde.
Following the Scottish outbreak, the British government set up a commission to look into the issue of food safety.Following the Scottish outbreak, the British government set up a commission to look into the issue of food safety.
What can be done to prevent such infections?What can be done to prevent such infections?
The two best - and most simple - steps are good hand hygiene and cooking and preparing meat properly.The two best - and most simple - steps are good hand hygiene and cooking and preparing meat properly.
Raw and cooked meat should always be kept apart during food preparation and people should always clean their hands after handling raw meat.Raw and cooked meat should always be kept apart during food preparation and people should always clean their hands after handling raw meat.
For direct animal-to-human transmission or indirect infection via the environment, good old soap and water is the best defence.For direct animal-to-human transmission or indirect infection via the environment, good old soap and water is the best defence.
While the bacterium is pretty good at surviving in the environment, it can be relatively easily killed by washing hands - and cleaning surfaces with disinfectant for that matter.While the bacterium is pretty good at surviving in the environment, it can be relatively easily killed by washing hands - and cleaning surfaces with disinfectant for that matter.