E.Coli strains found in Thailand

 

Thailand has found traces of E coli bacteria on a consignment of avocados imported from Spain and scientists are examining other samples to ascertain if it is same the strain that is causied the E coli outbreak in Germany.

The country's Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, has perhaps learned the lessons from the mistakes that Germany made in handiling the matter. He told reporters that final lab test results should be released between Sunday and Tuesday, and that people should not worry as E coli contamination of fruit and vegetables is normal and that the majority of the strains are harmless.

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration began checking all imported fruit and vegetables from the European Union on June 2.

The Minister said the E coli was found on a sample of 2kg of avocados randomly collected at a checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

He went on to advise that, as a precautionary measure, people should wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly or cook them to kill bacteria. He also said his ministry has ordered the Department of Medical Service to set up a team of specialists to give advice to doctors in state and private hospitals across the country on treating patients with diarrhoea.