Ontario man has Canada’s first case of E. coli linked to outbreak in Europe

TORONTO, Ont. – An Ontario man has Canada’s first suspected case of E. coli linked to the outbreak in Europe.

“We’ve had one suspected case of E. coli 0104 reported in Ontario, linked to the outbreak in Europe, and it’s the first suspect case in Canada,” said Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Arlene King.
    
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care says the man _ who is from Peel Region west of Toronto – travelled to Germany this spring where he consumed various local salad products. He has since been released from hospital and is undergoing further evaluation.
    
King said initial testing has confirmed the presence of toxin compatible with the current E. coli outbreak in Europe. However, it will take a few more days for further lab tests to confirm the case.
    
She added that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation in Europe, where 22 people have died and more than 2,300 been sickened.
    
All local health units have been advised to immediately report to the ministry any cases of E. coli with a travel history to Germany.

Doctors are still trying to track down the exact source and continue to focus on a sprout farm.

“What the health officials here in Germany say is, they believe that the traces of E. coli if indeed it was in this farm, might not be here anymore because most of the sprouts in question were produced about a month ago,” said CNN’s Frederick Pleitgen.  

“They say it doesn’t surprise them that they haven’t gotten any positive results from this place. It doesn’t mean that this is not where the E. coli originated.”

Here at home, King explained the risk from this outbreak is very low, but it should be a reminder to wash vegetables well and take precautions while preparing food.