19 August 2005

E. coli O157 Infections from Turkey

Health Protection Scotland has identified a cluster of Escherichia coli O157 infections in tourists returning to Scotland from Turkey [1]. There have been 10 confirmed and 5 suspected cases reported since 25 July 2005. The tourists have stayed in coastal resorts of the southwest province of Mugla and the southern province of Antalya. The dates of onset were between 15 July and 4 August. As of yet, no links between the cases have been identified other than travel to southern Turkey.

An alert concerning these cases has been sent throughout Europe via both the Enter-net (the international surveillance network for gastrointestinal infections that is hosted by the HPA) and the EU Early Warning and Response System. Other cases of E. coli O157 that are associated with travel to Turkey have been identified in England and Wales but the precise travel destination is as yet unknown [2].

These cases of the potentially serious infection with E. coli O157, highlight three important issues:

Travellers who return from Turkey (as well as from other areas) with bloody diarrhoea, should promptly seek medical help and tell their physician of their travel history.

Travellers should exercise care in food and drink selection to try to decrease the chance of acquiring this and other intestinal infections.

Health care providers should always obtain a travel history from their patients and include that history when reporting illness. This will facilitate recognition of any link between these types of events [3].

Suspected cases of Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli O157 in Scotland should be reported to Health Protection Scotland, and for England and Wales to the Health Protection Agency, Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (Tel: 020 8200 4400 ext. 6114).

 

References

1. Smith-Palmer A, Locking M, Reilly B, Fisher I. Cluster of E.coli O157 infections in Scottish tourists returning from southwest Turkey, July-August 2005. Eurosurv Wkly [online] 10 (8) (18 August 2005). www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2005/050818.asp#2

2. Health Protection Agency. Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli O157 infection in travellers returning from Turkey. Commun Dis Rep CDR Wkly [online] 15 (33) (18 August 2005). www.hpa.org.uk/cdr/archives/2005/cdr3305.pdf  

3.Cartwright R. Gastrointestinal illnesses in tourists: whose responsibility? Eurosurv Mnthly 2004; 9(3). www.eurosurveillance.org/em/v09n03/0903-221.asp