So far, 36 people have been infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Health Minister Hosam Abu Meri (New Unity) stated in an interview on Latvian Television’s programme “Rīta Panorāma”.
The majority—34 of the infected—are children. Additionally, seven more children have shown clinical symptoms of the disease. Abu Meri explained that the incubation period of the infection is long, making it difficult to predict how many more children identified as close contacts might develop symptoms.
The source of the infection has yet to be identified—no common food product or other cause has been found among the cases. Therefore, it is especially important for everyone to strictly observe hygiene standards.
The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD), together with the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), has so far inspected 19 preschools and two primary schools.
As previously reported, 19 children were being treated for E. coli infection at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital on Saturday, according to hospital spokesperson Ilze Olšteina.
The situation at the hospital remains dynamic—some children with confirmed Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections are admitted, while others are discharged and continue treatment at home, Olšteina explained.
THE SPKC, IN COOPERATION WITH THE PVD, CONTINUES THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION, STILL SEARCHING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE OUTBREAK.
The SPKC is also working with affected preschools and family doctors who are monitoring children with symptoms of acute intestinal infection.
The PVD previously reported that inspections were carried out in the food preparation areas of multiple institutions in Riga: Preschool No. 170, Preschool No. 104 (which receives food from Preschool “Laismiņa”), the kitchen of “Laismiņa”, the food distribution site of Preschool No. 132 (which receives food from Preschool “Dardedze”), the kitchen of “Dardedze”, the kitchen of the Riga Children and Youth Centre “Auseklis”, the kitchen of Preschool “Zīļuks”, the kitchen of Preschool No. 241, and the kitchen of Preschool “Zilbīte”.
According to the PVD, these educational institutions received catering or food supply services from either “Žaks-2” or the partnership “Gardbrīdis”, which consists of “Žaks-2” and SIA “Deliment”. The main shareholder of both companies is Žanna Gajevska.
Ilona Dreimane, a food technologist at “Žaks-2”, told the LETA news agency that the company is currently cooperating with the SPKC and PVD to identify the source of the outbreak and prevent further spread.
Inspections have also been carried out at the kitchen of the Salaspils 1st Preschool “Saulīte”.
The SPKC explains that all humans and animals have Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in their intestines. These are part of the normal intestinal flora and are generally harmless. However, specific strains of E. coli can produce toxins (poisonous substances) and cause serious illness.
These strains are referred to as STEC/VTEC (Shiga toxin-producing or verotoxin-producing E. coli). They can cause severe, bloody diarrhoea and, in some cases, lead to acute kidney failure requiring intensive care.
The main reservoir of these strains is herbivorous animals, especially cattle. The pathogen is excreted through faeces by infected animals or humans. Infection can occur through the consumption of contaminated food, undercooked beef, unpasteurized milk, unwashed or unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and direct human-to-human transmission is also possible.
The SPKC reminds the public to properly heat-treat food, rinse fruits and vegetables under running water—especially those not intended for cooking. If symptoms such as cramp-like abdominal pain or bloody diarrhoea appear, contact a doctor immediately.
Last year, this infection was registered 42 times in Latvia. On average, four to five cases are reported per month, according to the SPKC.