Published Date: 2011-12-13 17:48:08
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli O157 - UK (04): crab consumption
Archive Number: 20111213.3585
E. COLI O157 - UK (04) CRAB CONSUMPTION
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Mon 12 Dec 2011
Source: Plymouth Herald [edited]
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/case-E-coli-outbreak-Plymouth-linked-crab-meat/story-14113691-detail/story.html
Health protection officers are investigating an _E. coli_ outbreak in
Plymouth believed to be linked to crab meat. Environmental health
officers and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) launched an inquiry
after 9 cases were confirmed in the city. It is believed to be the 1st
reported outbreak of the _E. coli_ O157 strain associated with the
consumption of crab.
The investigation is continuing but there is a suspected link with an
unapproved crab supplier. Investigators revealed they took action
after 9 cases emerged in August 2011. There have been no further
reports of illness linked to crab since.
The South West HPA and Plymouth City Council said in a joint
statement: "A wider investigation is still ongoing following on from
the outbreak, so we are not in a position to give full details but we
suspect a link to an unapproved crab supplier. Environmental health
officers from the council acted swiftly to identify crab meat as a
possible source and removed all potentially affected crab meat from
food establishments as a precautionary measure. The team worked
closely with the SW (North) Health Protection Unit to investigate the
cases and ensure that GPs in Plymouth and beyond were aware of the
issue, if anyone presented with symptoms."
The team also alerted food outlets in the city about the importance of
only buying food or ingredients from approved or registered
suppliers.
A study into the outbreak showed a "statistically significant"
association between cases and the consumption of crab meat away from
home.
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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
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[There is not enough information in this report to assess the time and
source of the contamination of the crab and whether the crab that was
sold had been cooked. - Mod.LL]
See Also
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - Ireland: (LK) day care, O26 20111018.3115E. coli O157 - UK (03): leeks, potatoes 20111001.2965
E. coli O157 - UK (02): (England) day care 20110824.2576
E. coli O157 - UK: (Wales) kebabs 20110816.2479
E. coli O104 - EU (27): update, fenugreek seed susp. 20110629.1979
E. coli VTEC - Germany: RFI 20110523.1566
2010
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E. coli O157 - UK: (England) day care 20100209.0442
2009
----
E. coli O157 - UK (07): ex Spain (VC) alert, RFI 20091130.4092
E. coli O157 - UK (04): England, children's farm 20090913.3224
E. coli O157 - UK (03): Wales dance camp 20090823.2969
E. coli O157 - UK (02): Wales, HUS cluster 20090817.2916
E. coli O157 - UK: Wales dance camp, alert 20090817.2915
2007
----
E. coli O157, tourist area - Ireland (Sligo) 20070829.2841
E. coli O157 - UK (Scotland): sliced meat susp. (04) 20070824.2785
E. coli O157 - UK (Scotland): sliced meat susp 20070814.2655
E. coli O157 - UK (Scotland) ex Turkey: alert 20070813.2644
E. coli O157, prepackaged food - UK (England) (02) 20070722.2351
E. coli O157, prepackaged food - UK (England) 20070721.2348
2006
----
E. coli O157, day care - USA (TN) 20060701.1823
E. coli O157, day care - UK (Scotland)(02): background 20060512.1356
E. coli O157, day care - UK (Scotland) 20060511.1346
2005
----
E. coli O157, preschoolers - Ireland (Midwest) 20051228.3698
E. coli O26, unpasteurized cheese - UK ex France: recall
20051222.3662
E. coli O157, schools - UK (Wales)(05) 20051007.2929
E. coli O157, schools - UK (Wales) 20050922.2799
E. coli O157, school - UK (Northern Ireland) 20050608.1590
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