Factors contributing to the emergence of Escherichia coli O157 in Africa. |
| |
Authors: | E Effler M Isa?cson L Arntzen R Heenan P Canter T Barrett L Lee C Mambo W Levine A Zaidi P M Griffin |
| |
Institution: | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. pveffler@mail.health.state.hi.us |
| |
Abstract: | In 1992, a large outbreak of bloody diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli O157 infections occurred in southern Africa. In Swaziland, 40,912 physician visits for diarrhea in persons ages >5 years were reported during October through November 1992. This was a sevenfold increase over the same period during 1990-91. The attack rate was 42% among 778 residents we surveyed. Female gender and consuming beef and untreated water were significant risks for illness. E. coli O157:NM was recovered from seven affected foci in Swaziland and South Africa; 27 of 31 patient and environmental isolates had indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. Compared with previous years, a fivefold increase in cattle deaths occurred in October 1992. The first heavy rains fell that same month (36 mm), following 3 months of drought. Drought, carriage of E. coli O157 by cattle, and heavy rains with contamination of surface water appear to be important factors contributing to this outbreak. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|