Emerging Infectious Diseases (Aug 1999)

The Surveillance of Vero Cytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 in Wales, 1990 to 1998

  • Rachel M. Chalmers,
  • Sharon M. Parry,
  • Roland L. Salmon,
  • Robert M.M. Smith,
  • Geraldine A. Willshaw,
  • Tom Cheasty

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0504.990422
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 4
pp. 566 – 569

Abstract

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Population-based surveillance for Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 has been carried out in Wales since 1990. The annual incidence has remained stable during the 9-year period (mean: 1.6 cases per 100,000 population); the rate is highest in children younger than 5 years of age. Blood in the stool is reported in fewer than half the cases, indicating the importance of screening all fecal specimens for VTEC O157.

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