Health authorities in Iceland have identified the source of an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that has sickened more than 20 children.
Authorities found that the minced meat was poorly handled during cooking at the kindergarten.
The children affected are from Managarj kindergarten in Reykjavík’s Vesterbijl district. More than 100 children attend the center. Landlaeknir (Directorate General of Health) reported that 23 students became ill and two were in intensive care.
Analysis of the samples confirmed that E. coli O145 was detected in the fecal samples and minced meat samples of the kindergarten children. Sequencing of the bacteria’s genetic material has shown that they are related, indicating a common origin. The government-owned research firm Mattis tested the samples.
Investigators’ attention turned to Oct. 17 after interviews with the parents of the sick children. Reykjavík health authorities took samples of the food used to prepare the day’s meals, including ground meat, vegetables, lentils, melons and oatmeal. And so on.
positive minced sample
All food samples except ground meat were negative for E. coli. Several children who normally do not eat meat also became ill. These patients may have been infected by other children.
The meat was a mixed minced beef and sheep from a company called Kjarnafæði. It was not sold to the general public, but to large kitchens such as restaurants, cafeterias, and kindergartens.
The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) contacted the company when evidence showed that it was ground meat, and on the same day notified all parties who received ground meat from the same production batch used in the kindergarten. . This reveals that the buyer is already using it in their business. However, there are no confirmed reports of infection of other consumers.
Kindergarten is still closed. Health officials visited the site to review procedures, assess the situation, and request specific improvements. The kindergarten was cleaned and equipment was disinfected. The decision has been made to provide purchased food until further notice.
In 2023, a total of 14 people in Iceland were diagnosed with confirmed or probable E. coli infections. They included two children, ages 1 and 11, and 12 adults, ranging in age from 22 to 86.
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