E. coli outbreak 2011 investigation by Germany blasted by health officials

E. Coli Outbreak Investigation Unclear

The E. coli outbreak that originated from Germany could have been detected earlier by German health authorities. This is the emerging consensus of other health officials who have criticized Germany's handling of the deadly outbreak.

German authorities have investigated for over a month now the exact origin of the E. coli outbreak that has so far claimed the lives of 24 people and sickened more than 2,400. An additional 94 cases in Germany were reported on Tuesday. But after that time of investigating, no clear answer has been provided.

At first, cucumbers from Spain were blamed but subsequent tests showed that they harbored the milder, more common E. coli strain. That set off protests from Spain whose farmers were affected after their produce was blocked from entering the market.

Then, vegetable sprouts were pointed out as the likely culprit for the E. coli outbreak. But recent tests also showed negative results for the lethal strain of the bacteria.

"If we don't know the likely culprit in a week's time, we may never know the cause," said World Health Organization director of communicable diseases Dr. Guenael Rodier.

As the weeks go by, contaminated produce will have been gone or consumed and we may never be able to trace the origin of the E. coli strain, Dr. Rodier said.

Even German lawmakers criticized their government's handling of the E. coli outbreak and the flip-flopping and the cloud of doubt it has created over the current probe.

The blame for the bungled E. coli outbreak investigation was put on lack of protocol on health care professionals at the onset and the lack of coordination between state and federal authorities.

Posted by George Daniels on Wednesday June 08 2011, 5:40 AM EDT. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0