A Cluster of cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in North Queensland associated with a novel Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli

Authors

  • Anna K Morgan Communicable Disease Control, Tropical Public Health Unit, Townsville, Queensland
  • John Piispanen Tropical Public Health Unit – Townsville, Queensland
  • Jan Humphreys Communicable Disease Control, Tropical Public Health Unit-Townsville, Queensland
  • Denise Murphy Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Queensland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2005.29.17

Keywords:

haemolytic uraemic syndrome, Escherichia coli, Shiga-like toxin

Abstract

The Tropical Public Health Unit (TPHU) in Townsville was alerted on 16 March 2004 to the possibility of a cluster of cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). The public health responses comprised epidemiological and environmental investigations. The implications of the delay in notification of the previous case (hereafter referred to as the first case) on these investigations are discussed. In addition, this report describes the organism causing the HUS as a type of Escherichia coli not previously known to elaborate Shiga-like toxin (SLT) in human populations.

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References

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Published

01/06/05

How to Cite

Morgan, Anna K, John Piispanen, Jan Humphreys, and Denise Murphy. 2005. “A Cluster of Cases of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome in North Queensland Associated With a Novel Shiga-Like Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 29 (June):191-94. https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2005.29.17.

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