1. Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to raw drinking milk resolved by rapid application of advanced pathogen characterisation methods, England, August to October 2017
- Author
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F. Jorgensen, Therese Carson, Miranda Kirchner, Lukeki Kaindama, Juli Treacy, Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, Hassan Hartman, Muna F. Anjum, Doris Mueller-Doblies, Claire Jenkins, and Karthikeyan Paranthaman
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Veterinary medicine ,raw drinking milk ,Epidemiology ,030106 microbiology ,Cattle Diseases ,Biology ,Escherichia coli O157 ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ,Disease Outbreaks ,Public access ,03 medical and health sciences ,RDM ,fluids and secretions ,Virology ,Animals ,Humans ,Pathogen ,Disease Notification ,Escherichia coli Infections ,Whole genome sequencing ,whole genome sequencing ,Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Outbreaks ,Outbreak ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,030104 developmental biology ,Milk ,England ,Food Microbiology ,Cattle ,Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 ,Genetic relatedness ,Outbreak control ,Sentinel Surveillance ,gastrointestinal disease - Abstract
An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 occurred on the Isle of Wight between August and October 2017. Of the seven cases linked to the outbreak, five were identified through the statutory notification process and two were identified through national surveillance of whole genome sequencing data. Enhanced surveillance questionnaires established a common link to a farm, and link to the likely food vehicle, raw drinking milk (RDM). Microbiological investigations, including PCR, identified the presence of STEC O157:H7 in samples of RDM. Analysis of core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of STEC O157:H7 from human stool specimens, animal faecal samples and RDM demonstrated a one SNP difference between isolates, and therefore close genetic relatedness. Control measures that were put in place included suspension of sales and recall of RDM, as well as restrictions on public access to parts of the farm. Successful integration of traditional epidemiological surveillance and advanced laboratory methods for the detection and characterisation of STEC O157:H7 from human, animal and environmental samples enabled prompt identification of the outbreak vehicle and provided evidence to support the outbreak control team’s decision-making, leading to implementation of effective control measures in a timely manner.
- Published
- 2019