McDonald’s: What is the link between burgers and the E. coli outbreak? – BBC News Arabic

Escherichia coli bacteria are considered to be harmless bacteria that live in the intestines of humans and animals and contribute to intestinal health. However, when you eat food or drink water contaminated with certain types of these bacteria, it causes intestinal infections that range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. suffer them to put in danger.

BBC Arabic contacted the Food and Drug Administration to learn more about the origin of these bacteria and ways to prevent them.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, these bacteria are transferred from some wild animals and livestock, as well as people if they do not pay good attention to hand hygiene.

Contamination is usually spread when faeces come into contact with food or water. Carriers can spread these bacteria when they eat food without washing their hands properly after using the toilet. Also, pets and zoos can cause these diseases if the animals are contaminated with pathogenic E. coli bacteria.

Symptoms of E. coli bacteria appear on a person after eating food within a few days, and can be delayed for up to nine days.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), common symptoms of E. coli poisoning include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and feelings of nausea or vomiting.

The severity of symptoms will vary depending on the type of bacteria that has infected you, as some types can cause bloody diarrhoea. In some cases, the type that causes kidney failure, called hemolytic uremic syndrome, can be life-threatening for the patient, as well as the possibility of high blood pressure, kidney disease, or brain problems.

Other infections may have no symptoms or disappear completely without any treatment within five to seven days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeing a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

Most of the information available about E. coli is related to the O157:H7 type, as it is easily distinguished chemically from other types of E. coli.

Stock seems to be the main source of this pathogen.

In addition, ruminant animals such as sheep, goats and deer are important sources of infection, while other mammals such as pigs, horses, rabbits, dogs and cats, and some birds such as chickens and turkeys , also found infected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

E. coli type O157: H7 is transmitted to humans primarily through the consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products and raw milk.

Contamination of water and other foods with feces, as well as cross-contamination during food preparation (with beef and other meat products, contaminated surfaces and kitchen utensils), also lead to disease.

Foods that can cause outbreaks of E. bacteria include undercooked hamburger meat, dried salami, unpasteurized fresh apple juice, yogurt, and cheese made from unpasteurized raw milk.

The World Health Organization recommends that control measures be taken at all stages of the food chain, from agricultural production on farms to processing, manufacturing and preparation of foods in commercial establishments and ending with home kitchens.

In plants: The number of cases can be reduced through various mitigation strategies for ground beef, such as inspection of animals before slaughter to reduce the introduction of large numbers of pathogens into the slaughter environment.

Hygienic slaughter practices reduce faecal contamination of carcasses but do not guarantee that the products are free of E. coli bacteria.

In homes: Home preventive measures and basic food hygiene practices recommended by the World Health Organization can prevent the spread of pathogens responsible for several foodborne illnesses, and also protect against foodborne illnesses caused by with E. coli.

These measures include: maintaining hygiene, separating raw foods from cooked foods, cooking them well, keeping food at a safe temperature, and using water and raw materials in safe ways.

The FDA states, “The only effective way to eliminate E. coli bacteria from food is to include bactericidal treatment, such as heating, boiling, cooking, or pasteurization, and other sterilization processes. “

Finally, preventive measures prevent people from contracting Escherichia bacteria if the health standards recommended by health experts are followed by always following healthy habits, such as washing fruit and vegetables, cleaning and cooking meat, and washing hands regularly, especially after using them. a bathroom.

According to the British National Health Organization (NHS), there is no specific treatment for E. coli O157 infection.

Affected people can usually be cared for at home, and most people get better without medical treatment. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids, as diarrhea can lead to dehydration.

The group also advises against using antibiotics, as they could increase the risk of complications.