It is unacceptable for individuals infected with intestinal pathogens to work in food production facilities, emphasized Jurijs Perevoščikovs, Director of the Department of Infectious Disease Risk Analysis and Prevention at the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC), in an interview with the Latvian Television program Rīta panorāma.
As previously reported, the dairy cooperative “Straupe” has had its operations partially suspended after seven employees were confirmed to be infected with E. coli. Currently, the link between the illness in children and staff at educational institutions and the infected employees remains circumstantial, as further comparisons are needed to determine the match between the strains.
Perevoščikovs stated that as of this morning, seven infections have been confirmed at the company. The investigation continued yesterday, and updated information is expected today, which will be shared with the public.
The epidemiologist emphasized that the source of the employees’ infections is not yet known. The priority now is to identify the specific pathogens or serotypes in question and compare them with those found in the affected children.
He reminded that not all infected individuals show symptoms.
However, asymptomatic carriers can still shed the bacteria into the environment, which under certain conditions can contaminate food products.
The number of infections at “Straupe” is significant, Perevoščikovs noted. “With this number of cases, we assume that at least one of them may have shown symptoms,” he said.
The epidemiological investigation is ongoing, and further inspections will be conducted, including of other suppliers, to rule out alternative sources. Perevoščikovs acknowledged that multiple scenarios are being considered.
As previously reported, the manual filling line at “Straupe” has been suspended. This line was used for filling products into reusable plastic containers, such as milk or cream. The Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) decided to temporarily halt this production line and has recommended that consumers refrain from consuming these products.
The company supplied these dairy products to 14 educational institutions during the period when several children across different regions of Latvia contracted E. coli-related gastrointestinal infections.
During inspections of preschool kitchen facilities, the FVS collected samples of various food items—including dairy, meat, fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-eat meals—for laboratory testing. Information about suppliers, including “Straupe”, was also gathered. Samples of products produced by the company have been sent for testing for the presence of verotoxigenic E. coli. So far, laboratory results have found no contamination in food samples.
The FVS has instructed “Straupe” to recall all manually packaged dairy products produced before April 10 and to carry out immediate, unscheduled cleaning and disinfection of packaging areas and equipment. The company must also organize refresher training for staff on hygiene practices.
The automated packaging line, where products are not in direct contact with employees, has not been suspended.
Imants Balodis, Chairman of the Board of “Straupe”, told Latvian Television’s Panorāma that no contamination has been found in the company’s products—only in the employees. He stressed that the company’s products are consumed by hundreds of children, but only a few have fallen ill, and therefore he does not believe the milk products are the source of the infection.