Qatar Supreme Council of Health bans Cucumber, Tomato and lettuce Imports From Spain and Germany

Doha, June 04 (QNA) - The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) decided to impose a temporary ban of importing fresh cucumber, tomato and lettuce from the Kingdom of Spain and the Federal Republic of Germany due to the spread of the enter hemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria (EHEC).
An official source at the SCH said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the ban decision was taken on the recommendations of the Joint Human Food Control Committee in its emergency meeting on 2 June 2011. This ban is to be observed at all the country s entry sites and by all competent parties.
This notice requires a health certificate correspondent to all fresh vegetable and fruit shipments coming from all European countries to prove they are free from the hemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria (EHEC). This action has been prompted by the recent reports sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) about the infection of more than 1500 persons in a number of European countries including Germany, Spain, France, Netherland, Denmark and Sweden. !8 fatalities were reported, 17 of which were in Germany and one in Sweden due to Hus infection resulting from hemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria. The report pointed to the contamination of the fresh cucumber exported from Spain to Germany as being the source of the disease.
The SCH calls upon all food importers to strictly observe the implementation of this ban in favour of the public health of all residents in Qatar. The SCH also urges all residents to thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruits before consuming them.
As a precautionary measure, the official source said that the SCH has reminded doctors and health workers of Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care to closely investigate any patient who comes suffering from diarrhea with blood in stool accompanied by stomach colic, especially those who have recently come to the country from the European countries which had some case of the disease.
The Department of Public Health at the SCH advises passengers who are travelling to the infected countries to avoid having fresh and raw vegetables until things settle down. They are also advised to repeatedly wash their hands especially before the preparation an eating their foods, and after using the bath room. Children caretakers are particularly advised to observe these precautions.
The SCH in cooperation with the Joint Human Food Control Committee will monitor the situation closely on the basis of the regular reports issued by the competent international organizations. The SCH will not hesitate to ban all vegetable imports from Europe if that is necessary to preserve the people s health in Qatar.
It is worth mentioning that HUS results from an infection by an altered type of enter hemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria (EHEC) causing serious symptoms leading ultimately to kidney failure or other serious consequences. It is necessary also to point out that this bacterial contamination could result from irrigating vegetables and fruits by sewage water. (QNA)