Government and Policy

Low risk of EHEC outbreak in China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-07 22:19

BEIJING - Health experts on Tuesday said China faces "relatively low risk" of an outbreak of E. coli (EHEC), while calling for meticulous control and prevention measures.

Since the country imports a limited amount of fresh vegetables, the risk of EHEC, a food-borne bacteria, entering the country is low, said experts at a conference hosted by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.

Although Chinese nationals in German may get infected with EHEC, it's nearly impossible for them to further spread EHEC in China after returning, according to the experts.

EHEC is a virulent strain of gut bacterium that can cause severe upset stomach, diarrhea, and stroke. In extreme cases, it can lead to a coma or kidney failure.

Germany suffered an E. coli (0104 strain) outbreak a month ago that has killed at least 22 people in Europe and sent hundreds to hospitals with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).

The CDC said that the center is closely monitoring information about EHEC and may alter prevention measures based on the assessment of EHEC's threat to public health.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health urged increased surveillance over EHEC, ordering medical institutions at all levels to beef up monitoring in suspected EHEC cases and to report these cases promptly to the ministry.