Recently it hasbeen noted that, at least 150 cases of E. coli infection have been reported in Sweden, with the culprit identified as contaminated parsley imported from southern Europe. The outbreak affected over 100 individuals who attended a conference in Jönköping at the end of October, with an additional 50 cases reported in Stockholm around the same time.

Health officials suspect that parsley from Italy, supplied by a common producer, is the likely source of the outbreaks. In Stockholm, individuals who fell ill had consumed parsley from the same distributor, strengthening the connection.

Of the 104 conference participants reporting illness, samples from four cases revealed infections with different strains of pathogenic E. coli, including Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC).

Initial food testing did not identify any bacteria, parasites, or viruses responsible for the outbreak. However, further laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of ETEC and EPEC.

The Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) is actively investigating the incident using the EU’s alert systems, and authorities in Italy have been informed to collaborate in identifying the source of contamination. The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) has sequenced isolates of ETEC from both Jönköping and Stockholm cases, revealing significant similarities and indicating a common source for the outbreaks.

Monica Kollberg from the environmental and health protection office in Jönköping emphasized the rarity of outbreaks of this magnitude but stressed the importance of tracing the source of infection for effective containment.

ETEC, transmitted through contaminated food or water, can cause watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping, with symptoms appearing one to three days after exposure. EPEC, spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with animals or contaminated objects, leads to symptoms such as watery diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and vomiting within four to 12 hours after exposure.

This incident follows previous foodborne outbreaks in Sweden, including 14 cases of norovirus linked to oysters from France in November and a Cryptosporidium outbreak in October traced back to goat’s milk cheese, also from France.

Authorities continue their efforts to investigate the parsley contamination, highlighting the need for vigilance in food safety to prevent and manage such outbreaks.

Source:https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/648655