As of Saturday, June 4, officials stated that 19 people have perished and more than 2,000 across 12 countries have fallen ill, as over 500 people have also been diagnosed with the life-threatening kidney disorder known as hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The German Health Ministry reported Sunday that hospitals in the north, where the outbreak first occurred, are being overwhelmed as they struggle to provide patients with sufficient beds and medical care.

Deputy Director of Food-borne Illnesses at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Tauxe stated that this strain of E. coli, originally detected in Germany, has killed more people and resulted in more cases of severe kidney damage than any outbreak on record.

With scientists at China's Beijing Genomics Institute finding that the genes in the newly identified strain of E. coli are resistant to eight major classes of antibiotics, researchers in Germany and other countries continue frantically seeking a medication that will alleviate its life-threatening consequences. 

Although the specific cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified, many scientists are now pointing to livestock as the most likely source.

Remarking on the history of E. coli in the USA, University of Minnesota food safety professor Francisco Diez stated, in the USA stated, "We've seen an increase in cases of produce-associated outbreaks, but ultimately the source is cattle."

He said that cattle-manure fertilizer which is not composted well can still carry live bacteria, or that the manure may have contaminated irrigation water. Furthermore, Australian veterinary public health research scientist at the University of Queensland, Rowland Cobbold said that the produce could lead the way back to the source as he stated, "It's almost entirely likely that it came from cattle at some point."

World Health Organization spokesperson Donato Greco highlighted the excessive use of antibiotics in the livestock industry, saying that this could also explain the antibiotic resistance of this particular strain.  

Meanwhile, Qatar has banned the import of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers from the European Union. This follows a ban by Russia and Lebanon of all European Union vegetables until the source of the contamination is clearly identified.

Our sincere sympathies for those who have lost loved ones as we pray for the recovery of all those afflicted to full vital health. With Heaven's mercy, may we soon see an end to all such diseases, as we fill our plates with organic and humane animal-free fare.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393545/E-coli-outbreak-3-Americans-struck-contagious-mutant-strain-
kills-18-Europe.html
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/E-coli-Good-Bacteria-Gone-Bad-123116623.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/03/e-coli-infections-spread-germany
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8554501/E.coli-outbreak-spreads-to-12-countries-as-Britons-
treated.html