HSE WEST ESTABLISHES MULTI AGENCY GROUP OVER VTEC INFECTIONS

Date Published: 27-Jul-2012

The HSE West has established an expert group to deal with the rising number of VTEC E.coli infections.

37 cases were reported in Galway Mayo and Roscommon in the first six months of this year.

VTEC is a germ that can cause infection if swallowed, but most people recover completely without any problems.

However VTEC produces a toxin that may damage the bowel causing severe diarrhoea, and can cause life threatening complications.

The HSE has initiated a multi-agency group comprising of the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and food, the food safety authority of Ireland, Safefood, Teagasc the EPA and local authorities to deal with the problem.

Dr. Breda Smith, a public health specialist, says steps can be taken to avoid ecoli infection.