by Dr. W. Gifford Jones
Monday, October 23, 2006
"I'd prefer to have the red snapper without the spinach", my wife said to the waiter. Like many people she was concerned about the recent outbreak of infection resulting from contaminated California spinach. But if you think the "All Clear" has been given to eat spinach and other greens, you had better think again. Bacteria such as E.Coli 0157:H7 always win when you toss caution to the wind. And does organic foods really protect you from this disease, as some believe?
This recent outbreak of E. Coli 0157:H7 is not the first. The bacterium was first identified in 1982 when some people ate uncooked beef.
The spinach implicated in the current outbreak was grown in three California counties, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara. But it did not remain in California. It was packaged and distributed as fresh spinach and salad blends, along with the E. Coli 0157:H7 bacteria, throughout the U.S. and Canada. So far the tainted spinach has infected 114 people and resulted in 60 admissions to hospital.
When complications occur, 0157:H7 can cause a deadly disease. This is particularly true for young children, the elderly and those with shaky immunity. So far, in the U.S, 18 people have developed the Hemolytic Uremia Syndrome. This causes destruction of red blood cells and kidneys may fail. If this happens some of these patients may need to be placed on kidney dialysis machines. Most recover. But this complication can be fatal. One 77- year-old woman has died.
The Center For Disease control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. reports that this strain of bacteria is responsible for 73,000 cases of infection and 63 deaths each year. E. Coli 0157:H7 produces powerful toxins that can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain within two to three days.
Fortunately, most people recover in 5 to 10 days. But authorities advise against taking antibiotics or anti-diarrhea drugs to ease the symptoms. These medicines may further aggravate the problem.
We all have friendly E. Coli in our bowel. In fact, hundreds of varieties of E. Coli reside in the human intestine. But unfortunately E.Coli has some nasty cousins, such as E. Coli 0157:H7, that carry a chemical compound found on the surface of the bacterium.
So what can you do to protect yourself and children? Some readers have asked if organic spinach and other leafy vegetables are safer.
Organic vegetables are not subjected to conventional pesticides, antibiotics or growth hormones. So consuming organic vegetables can decrease your exposure to pesticides and other potential contaminants. But studies show organic foods are not more nutritious and E. Coli can still remain a problem.
It's important to remember that E. Coli infection often results from exposure to contaminated water or animal waste. Cattle manure contains this bacterium and this can contaminate streams and nearby farms. So exposure to this germ is possible whether the crop is grown organically or not. And this caution also applies to homegrown spinach.
Washing spinach, lettuce and other vegetables will not provide complete protection from E.Coli 0157:H7. It's because this bacterium is sticky and washing with running water cannot remove all germs. Leafy vegetables provide many places for bacteria to hide and attach themselves. But good sense indicates washing will cut down the contamination and hopefully the severity of the attack. The only solution to kill E.Coli 0157:H7 is to thoroughly cook the produce.
If food is bagged it may appear safer but the same precaution applies. It's still prudent to thoroughly wash with plain water and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel to decrease the risk. And be sure to clean food surfaces and utensils often.
So far there have been no reported cases of illness in Canada. In the U.S the worst hit area was Wisconsin. And as I write this column some lettuce has been declared to be unsafe.
You can be sure that this will not be the last headline made by E.Coli 0157:H7. Overpopulation and the general deterioration of our environment will escalate rather than diminish this infection. Unless we drastically change our ways my crystal ball forecasts more polluted rivers and farm land.
W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com
My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:
Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1
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