Investigation of an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 infection caused by environmental exposure at a scout camp

Abstract

In May 2000 a scout camp was held on an agricultural showground in New Deer, Aberdeenshire. There were 337 campers at the event, comprising 233 cubs, scouts, and venture scouts, and 104 adults. The event was abandoned early because of heavy rainfall. Twenty campers who became ill between 28 May and 3 June were confirmed as having E. coli O157 infection. Preliminary investigation did not suggest a food vehicle but did indicate environmental exposure at the camp as a risk factor. Subsequent investigations supported the hypothesis that transmission of E. coli O157 was from the environment to cases by contaminated hands, either directly from hand to mouth, or via food. As a result of the investigation the Aberdeenshire Council and the Scout Association jointly prepared interim guidelines to reduce the risk of E. coli O157 infection at scout camps.

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli: emerging issues on virulence and modes of transmission

“…EHEC O157 has also been isolated from goats [137], and goat milk has been associated with an outbreak [8]. Small ruminant flocks may also have a relevant role in spreading STEC contamination in the environment [75,125].…”

“…Persistence of STEC in the soil [55,56] favours the infection of cattle and makes environmental exposure a risk factor for human infection [32,75,125,158]. Animal wastes and effluents from farming operations, including manure and slurries, are frequently applied as a fertiliser to land used for crop or silage production and cattle grazing.…”

Detection of numerous verotoxigenic E. coli serotypes, with multiple antibiotic resistance from cattle faeces and soil

“…Cattle are considered the 3 main reservoir of VTEC, with infection associated with the consumption of contaminated 4 beef and beef products (Griffin andTauxe, 1991, Elder et al, 2000) or direct contact with 5 animals and animal faeces on the farm (Howie et al, 2003, Crump et al, 2003. VTEC can 6 produce severe illness in humans, leading to this infection being listed as a notifable disease 7 in all European countries (EU-Report, 2001, Sanco 2001).…”

A Review on Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Malaysia

“…The presence and sustainability of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in the soil favours its infections in cattle and their presence in the environment also pose risk for human infections (Gagliardi et al, 2002;Howie et al, 2003;Ogden et al, 2002).…”