Understanding the 2011 EHEC-HUS Outbreak in GermanyArchived

The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreak in Germany during 2011 showed the value of a solid microbiology network and the need to increase the speed of notification of cases of infectious diseases in Europe. These two issues were highlighted by ECDC Director Marc Sprenger at the 51st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Chicago where he discussed the lessons learnt by ECDC following the recent STEC outbreak.The Conference, organised by the American Society for Microbiology, is one of the leading international meetings on antimicrobial agents and infectious diseases where healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, clinical microbiologists, pharmacists and researchers specialising in infectious diseases share latest-breaking science from around the globe.

Marc Sprenger reminded participants that “major outbreaks can still happen in highly developed, well-resourced countries”. There are EU surveillance and response support system to help Member States (MS) and stakeholders in dealing with Public Health emergencies; but efforts have to be made to increase speed of notification. ECDC’s Director added that Europe needs “to continue to invest in and strengthen its networks”.

Marc Sprenger’s presentation was part of the slide session on ‘Clinical Infectious Disease –Breaking news in 2011”  and provided an overview of the severe and extensive outbreak of an atypical Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain in Northern Germany in June-July 2011. During the outbreak, ECDC produced daily epidemiological updates and together with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), ECDC provided the European Commission and MS with joint scientific advice and updated risk assessments, including consumer safety. A teleconference was convened with clinicians from Germany and other countries, and real time diagnostic guidance for the epidemic strain was shared.