Sask. microbiologist says Calgary E. coli outbreak marked by odd toxin

The E. coli outbreak connected to hundreds of cases at 11 daycares in Calgary was marked by an unusual toxin.

Microbiologist Joseph Blondeau joined CKOM and CJME’s John Gormley on Wednesday to explain what made the outbreak in Alberta different from typical E. coli outbreaks.

“That E. coli strain carries genetic information that allows it to produce a toxin,” said Blondeau. “In this instance, it’s a shiga toxin producing strain of E. coli.”

Shiga toxins cause severe food-borne illnesses and can sometimes lead to life-threatening issues like hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a disease that tends to shut down the kidneys.

“It also has an impact on blood and blood clotting functions,” said Blondeau. “(It) causes blood vessels to perhaps become a bit more leaky.”

This disease tends to affect young children and elderly people the most, Blondeau explained.

Many children from the daycares now require dialysis in order to use the washroom regularly.

Blondeau says the cause of the outbreak is still unclear.

“Did it come from animals, or did it arise from somewhere else?” he asked. “I’m not so sure if that’s a question, particularly in the Calgary outbreak, that we’ll be able to identify.”

According to the World Health Organization, this strain of E. coli is caused by raw or under-cooked ground meat, raw milk and fecal contamination of vegetables.

Blondeau said proper hygiene and cooking meats to the appropriate temperature is essential to preventing the spread of E. coli.

The full interview with Blondeau can be heard here.