tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post8100302172731222298..comments2022-11-03T03:05:12.973-07:00Comments on ECORATORIO - An Ecological Oratorio: Super bugs and Super sleuths : E.coli outbreak in EuropeRuth Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16568851633869445367noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-2230264545119856732011-06-05T13:07:01.983-07:002011-06-05T13:07:01.983-07:00Thanks for your comment and for your interest in o...Thanks for your comment and for your interest in our blog.<br /><br />How do we prevent drug emergence of drug resistant bacteria in the first place?<br />Evidence indicates that indiscriminate use of antibiotics in humans as well as in livestock could contribute to antibiotic resistance.<br /><br />How do we prevent ourselves from getting infected?<br />E.coli is a bacteria that is found in the gut of humans. It is normally harmless. But few strains such as the German one are harmful.<br />Infection occurs through water & contaminated food.<br /><br /> The WHO site forwards advice from the Robert Koch Institute in Germany which is to avoid eating tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuces. Additionally, to adopt the usual hygiene measures in handling fruit and vegetables.<br />Regular hand washing, before preparation of food or eating. Washing hands after toilet contact, is highly recommended in the WHO webiste particularly for people who care for small children or are immunocompromised specifically since the bacterium can be passed from person to person, as well as through food, water and direct contact with animals.<br />With recent news in the media that bean sprouts could be the culprits, there is one other vegetable in the list where precautions should be taken. Most bacteria if not all are killed at high temperatures, so washing and cooking the vegetables might be a welcome measure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2027286527219515017.post-62151867430261753942011-06-03T06:47:35.362-07:002011-06-03T06:47:35.362-07:00Prevention is better than cure, but can't say ...Prevention is better than cure, but can't say for sure how to prevent drug-resistant bacteria. I wonder what would be the best way to prevent them - washing vegetables thoroughly might remove a few bugs yet may not be that effective, so do we just stop eating raw vegetables? Things are getting serious and scary!Anihttp://www.aniruddhahd.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com