Buenos Aires – In order to contribute to the prevention of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)he National Service for Food Safety and Quality (Senasa) provides a series of Measures to take into account in daily habits to avoid illness.
SUH is a foodborne illness (FBI) caused by a toxin of the bacteria Escherichia coliwhich is usually present in the fecal matter of animals and peoplein the undercooked meat and unhygienic hands. In addition, it affects the renal and urinary systems of humans.
Affected individuals may present the following: symptoms: fever, vomiting and diarrhea, blood in the stool, irritability, weakness and lethargy, lack of urine production, paleness, bruising, subcutaneous hemorrhages in the form of small red dots (petechiae) and yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
Los Children under five are one of the groups most likely to contract HUS because they lack sufficiently developed levels of defense at the intestinal level, which can cause severe bloody diarrhea or kidney failure and leave serious lifelong consequences.
Recommendations
-Cook the meat very well (there should be no pink or red parts inside; if possible, make sure it reaches 71 ºC).
-Avoid giving minced meat to children under 5 years old.
-Wash well the fruits and vegetables that are going to be consumed.
-Wash your hands before and after changing diapers. Also, after touching animals, handling food and going to the bathroom.
-Do not use the same cutting board and knife to cut raw meat and vegetables that are not going to be cooked, to avoid “cross contamination”.
-Place the meat in a closed bowl to store it in the refrigerator, placing it on the lower shelves to avoid spills into the fruit and vegetable drawers.
-Maintain the cold chain of food.
Although Senasa minimizes the risk of transmission of the bacteria in food through permanent controls at the slaughterhouse, it is essential that people incorporate these prevention measures, since daily habits are essential to promote the prevention of the syndrome.
