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E. coli in Egypt (Hurghada)

18 July 2019

Public Health Englandreports that there have been 18 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in travellers returning from the Hurghada area of Egypt in 2019. One of the affected people developed a serious condition called Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) which can lead to kidney failure.

E. coli infection may be accompanied by: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache and fever. The illness is usually self limiting over 3–5 days (up to 10 days with STEC). Individuals with symptoms after returning from holiday should seek medical advice.

Advice to Travellers

All travellers, irrespective of destination are potentially at risk of E. coli infection. The risk is highest in travellers visiting countries with poor hygiene and sanitation.

All travellers should be advised to practice safe food and water hygiene - see also preventing travellers' diarrhoea

  • STEC (EHEC/VTEC) coli strains are destroyed if food is cooked thoroughly to internal temperatures of > 70oC.

Vaccination

  • No licensed vaccines are available against E. coli.
  • Dukoral® (oral cholera vaccine) may give some protection against heat labile toxin producing Enterotoxigenic E. coli(ETEC) (about 50% of ETEC strains)
  • Widespread use of this vaccine is not advised for prevention of travellers' diarrhoea

For further information see Escherichia coli.