http://www.times.co.nz/cms/news/2008/03/art100019720.php
A sharp increase in the number of gastro-intestinal illnesses has spurred the nations health services into action.
Forty-five cases of serious e-coli infection have been reported in New Zealand this year, more than double the 19 infections logged at the same time last year.
Eight of the vero-toxigenic e-coli (VTEC) cases are from the Auckland region, including in Franklin and Pukekohe. To date, two people have been hospitalised but have since recovered.
Specialists from the Healthy Ministry, Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) and NZ Food Safety Authority are working together to uncover the source of the infection.
Dr Greg Simmons of ARPHS was cited as saying the organisations are piecing together common features that connect the VTEC cases, including the foods eaten and where those infected live.
The infection can be spread through poor hygiene, undercooked meat, infected livestock and inadequately washed fruits and vegetables. The bugs symptoms include bruising under the skin, diarrhoea [...]
MORE:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=25018
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