E.coli source still not found

Photo: NRK.

E.coli-bacteria were not found in the 22 samples taken from food and water in Malvik, Sør-Trøndelag county in connection with the recent outbreak of E.coli O157.

The National Veterinary Institute has now completed the tests on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has completed the testing of other members of the three families that are affected by the outbreak. Two people who did not become ill were shown to have E.coli O157-bacteria in their intestines.

The process of analysing the thorough interviews of parents and others in the sick children’s surroundings is now complete. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health will continue the work with tracing grocery purchases made before the children became ill. The Institute is awaiting feedback from the grocery shops about which purchases were made based on receipts. 

It is still uncertain how the E.coli-bacterium was transmitted. “Findings of such bacteria in the faeces of the patient’s relatives is not unusual with this type of infection,” says Preben Aavitsland, Department Director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends that children with bloody diarrhoea should seek immediate medical help so that faecal samples can be taken.

Source: Department Director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.