A pathogenic bacterium called Escherichia coli O157:H7 is found in one out of ten dairy herds in Sweden. In his doctoral project, veterinary surgeon Erik Eriksson of SLU studied this EHEC (Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli) strain. Some strains of this intestinal bacterium can give rise to bloody diarrhoea in humans. The infection may also cause serious sequela such as acute renal disease and may even result in death. The most common EHEC bacterium, VTEC O157:H7 is mainly found among ruminants, chiefly cattle, but the bacterium can also be isolated from pigs and other animals.
- The most important advice for the individual human on how to avoid EHEC infection is not to drink unpasteurised milk, says Erik Eriksson.