A surge in EHEC infections has persisted in Germany’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region since August, with 78 cases reported, but the source of the outbreak remains unknown.
The first serious cases of diarrhea were diagnosed in early August in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a region in northeastern Germany. The infections were caused by a strain of the intestinal bacteria Escherichia coli (EHEC), which produces strong toxins leading to severe diarrhea and, in severe cases, blood clotting disorders or kidney failure.
Despite ongoing efforts, the source of the infection and the location where the infections started remain unidentified. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Health Minister, Stefanie Drese, described the work as “Sisyphian,” noting that the longer the bacteria persist, the harder it becomes to find contaminated food samples or recall what was eaten.
According to data from the Robert Koch Institute, there were over 3,440 EHEC cases registered in Germany in 2023 and approximately 4,570 cases in 2024. By the end of August this year, 3,700 EHEC infections had been reported. Previous outbreaks have occasionally resulted in fatalities.
EHEC bacteria primarily occur in ruminants. Infection can occur through direct contact with animals or consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms may appear up to ten days after exposure. In 2011, a large EHEC outbreak took over eight weeks to determine its cause, which was traced to fenugreek seeds from Egypt.
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 78 cases have been reported since August, with 21 confirmed and 57 suspected cases. Nationwide, 89 patients have been identified as infected with EHEC. The strain identified in early September was described as particularly aggressive and rare in Europe, with several cases requiring hospitalization, including in intensive care units for children.
