Latest news with #Ecoli
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Swimming not recommended at two local beaches ahead of Canada Day
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit said only four beaches in the area are deemed safe for swimming leading into Canada Day. Colchester Beach in Colchester and Holiday Beach in Amherstburg are under a warning due to high E. coli levels. Cedar Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee North West Beach, and Seacliff Beach are all deemed safe for swimming. Sandpoint Beach has been closed by the city for safety reasons.
WIRED
a day ago
- Health
- WIRED
The Next Acetaminophen Tablet You Take Could Be Made From PET
Jun 27, 2025 8:53 AM This research could represent the first documented case of acetaminophen production from plastic waste using E. coli bacteria. acetaminophen pill box, boxpaper, blister tablets Photograph: Jorge Martinez Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have succeeded in transforming certain plastic waste into acetaminophen using the natural properties of the common bacterium Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). This breakthrough represents a milestone with the potential to drive more sustainable methods of drug production and, at the same time, contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution globally. The study, led by Stephen Wallace, revealed that E. coli cells contain phosphate, an organic compound capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction known as Lossen rearrangement. In general terms, this process involves the rearrangement of the atoms of a hydroxamate ester molecule to form a new structure called isocyanate, a chemical intermediate that, when reacted with water, produces primary amines. These substances are essential in numerous biological processes and in drug synthesis. Using synthetic biology, the scientists manipulated the bacteria to redirect their internal chemistry and transform a PET-derived molecule known as terephthalic acid into the active ingredient in acetaminophen. They used a fermentation process, similar to that used in brewing beer, to accelerate the conversion of industrial PET waste into the drug, obtaining results in less than 24 hours. According to the findings, approximately 90 percent of the final product corresponded to acetaminophen. Importantly, this conversion was done at room temperature and with virtually no carbon emissions, suggesting that the drug can be produced in a more environmentally friendly way. Wallace noted that what was most surprising about the process was that the Lossen rearrangement occurred naturally within living bacteria, without the need for laboratory catalysts. That is, they took advantage of the microbial cells' own capabilities to trigger the desired reaction. 'The funny thing is that we didn't have to teach the bacteria how to do the reaction: The trick was to realize that they already had the tools, and we just had to guide them,' explained the researcher in statements reported by El País. 'We used synthetic biology to build new metabolic pathways within the bacteria that guide their chemistry toward producing the compound we wanted. In this case, a drug.' Sustainable Drug Production The work, published in the journal Nature, could be the first documented case of acetaminophen production from plastic waste using E. coli . However, the authors stress that further studies will be necessary to achieve industrial-scale production. In addition, they caution that the safety and efficacy of the resulting drug in humans have yet to be evaluated, so future research will be required. Despite these limitations, the scientists emphasize that their results open up new possibilities for addressing the problem of plastic waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with drug manufacturing. Currently, the production of drugs such as acetaminophen consumes thousands of tons of fossil fuels, especially petroleum, which contributes significantly to climate change. In turn, PET generates more than 350 million tons of waste per year, causing serious damage to the environment. Although this material is recyclable, current methods often result in products that perpetuate global plastic pollution. 'This work demonstrates that PET plastic is not just a waste product or a material destined to become more plastic: Microorganisms can transform it into valuable new products, including those with therapeutic potential,' concluded Wallace. This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
Fox News
a day ago
- Health
- Fox News
Butcher shops close as E. coli outbreak kills 12-year-old girl, hospitalizes 21 children
A 12-year-old girl died and at least 21 children were hospitalized after an E. coli outbreak that was likely caused by contaminated meat, prompting the closure of six butcher shops in France, officials said. Signs of severe food poisoning, including bloody diarrhea, first emerged on June 12 near the city of Saint-Quentin in northern France. In total, 22 children and one elderly person have been treated and 10 of the patients were still hospitalized as of Wednesday, according to officials in the Hauts-de-France region. The girl died on Monday, June 16. "I would like to express my deepest sympathy and solidarity with the family of the deceased girl," Health Minister Yannick Neuder said in a post Sunday on X. "To her loved ones, I extend, on behalf of the French government, my most sincere thoughts." Initial tests determined the outbreak was caused by E. coli likely from meat consumption, he told Radio France Internationale (RFI). Nine of the patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare condition caused by a certain type of E. coli bacteria, according to a news release from the local prefect's office on Wednesday. E. coli is a type of bacterium found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most varieties of E. coli are harmless, some strains, which can be contracted through contaminated food and water, can cause severe cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. One serious strain is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can lead to HUS, typically among children and the elderly, and cause kidney failure, permanent health problems — even death. About eight in 10 children with HUS have a STEC infection, according to the CDC. There have been 1,624 HUS cases and 38 deaths from it in the U.S. in recent decades, according to the CDC's most recent data, which spans from 1997 to 2021. Some of the hospitalized patients in France received dialysis, which filters waste and excess fluid when the kidneys are not functioning. "Once somebody has the symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome, there's really no therapy other than supportive care," said Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, the chief of pediatric infectious disease at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "Antibiotics are not going to work. We don't have an antidote." "The way to keep these outbreaks under wraps, or at least to halt the progression, is a robust public health system." Kahn, who is not involved in the care of the patients in France, called HUS a "nasty" disease and said he has seen children receive kidney transplants and come into renal failure as a result of it. It has spread in the U.S. as a result of chopped meat and apple cider, he noted. "The way to keep these outbreaks under wraps, or at least to halt the progression, is a robust public health system," Kahn added. "The investigators are key." Investigations by several government offices into the origins of the outbreak in France are ongoing, according to the prefect's office, and test samples from six Saint-Quentin-area butcher shops, which have been preemptively closed, are expected to open next week. The poisoned individuals had eaten meat traced back to the six shops, according to preliminary investigations. "As part of these investigations, all leads are being explored, analyzed and reported back to ensure that no possible source of contamination is ruled out," the prefect's office stated. Neuder urged people not to panic. "The idea is not to cause panic," he told RFI. "It is still possible to eat meat." Fox News Digital reached out to the health minister's office for comment. For more Lifestyle articles, visit Officials reminded residents that symptoms linked to E. coli can appear within 10 days of eating contaminated food. They cautioned that meat from some of the butchers had been served at two sporting events and a school fair as recently as June 22. They additionally warned people not to consume meat bought from those butchers after June 1, to clean their refrigerators thoroughly if they have purchased any and to prevent transmission by handwashing. "The good news is, there's a lot we can do in the kitchen to help prevent E. coli infections and lower the risk of HUS," Jessica Gavin, a certified food and culinary scientist from California, told Fox News Digital. "I always make sure to cook meat, especially ground beef and poultry, to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, wash my hands well after handling raw ingredients and keep raw and cooked foods separate to avoid cross-contamination."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bathers urged to check water quality this summer
The Environment Agency is urging bathers to check water quality before taking a dip in rivers and beaches this summer. The agency is taking samples from 451 bathing waters throughout England between 15 May and 30 September - on the look out for levels of two particular types o bacteria. In the East, samples will be taken from 43 bathing spots, from The Wash in Norfolk to West Mersea in Essex - and including the Stour Estuary, the Deben in Waldringfield, Suffolk - and the River Cam in Cambridge. Andrew Raine, the agency's area environment manager, said: "I'm a keen conservationist, keen on wildlife. I'm very keen that we improve further our water quality both in rivers and in bathing waters." He said more than 7,000 water samples were taken each year, with the majority in the East rated excellent. According to the EA, anything above 1,000 colonies per 100ml is poor. Speaking in Sheringham, Norfolk, he said: "In England, 92% of our bathing waters are above the guidelines set by the WHO for safe bathing water swimming." Scientists test for two types of bacteria - E-coli and intestinal enterococci - which can be harmful in large quantities to humans. Samples are taken from 30cm (12in) below the water surface in bathing areas, with the results published within two to five days. In Sheringham the water quality has been rated as excellent in samples taken between 2021 and 2024. So far this year, 15 samples have been collected from this location. However, the agency advises against swimming in three areas in the East: Heacham, in Norfolk, Clacton, in Essex, and at Sheep's Green on the Cam in Cambridge. Sheep's Green was one of 27 sites in England to receive designated bathing water status in May 2024 but is rated as having poor water quality. Mr Raine added: "I wouldn't advise swimming after a heavy downpour as you'll see lots of urban run-off from streets and pavements, you'll see run-off from agricultural land and you also could potentially get sewage spills. "Water companies have done huge investments over the past few years to make sure that that most of the sites around our coast have ultra violet filtration and treatment so that kills 99% of the bacteria. "If bacteria has got into the water, it can still have an impact." He said people should also consider if the beach they are visiting has Blue Flag status. You can check bathing water quality on the Environment Agency's Swimfo website Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, or BBC Suffolk. City swimmers call for river pollution checks Bathing spot fails to meet water quality standard Wild swimmers celebrate bathing water status Sharp rise in bathing sites rated unfit for swimming Environment Agency
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Bathers urged to check water quality in the East this summer
The Environment Agency is urging bathers to check water quality before taking a dip in rivers and beaches this summer. The agency is taking samples from 451 bathing waters throughout England between 15 May and 30 September - on the look out for levels of two particular types o the East, samples will be taken from 43 bathing spots, from The Wash in Norfolk to West Mersea in Essex - and including the Stour Estuary, the Deben in Waldringfield, Suffolk - and the River Cam in Raine, the agency's area environment manager, said: "I'm a keen conservationist, keen on wildlife. I'm very keen that we improve further our water quality both in rivers and in bathing waters." He said more than 7,000 water samples were taken each year, with the majority in the East rated excellent. According to the EA, anything above 1,000 colonies per 100ml is poor. Speaking in Sheringham, Norfolk, he said: "In England, 92% of our bathing waters are above the guidelines set by the WHO for safe bathing water swimming." Scientists test for two types of bacteria - E-coli and intestinal enterococci - which can be harmful in large quantities to humans. Samples are taken from 30cm (12in) below the water surface in bathing areas, with the results published within two to five days. 'Urban run-off' In Sheringham the water quality has been rated as excellent in samples taken between 2021 and 2024. So far this year, 15 samples have been collected from this the agency advises against swimming in three areas in the East: Heacham, in Norfolk, Clacton, in Essex, and at Sheep's Green on the Cam in Cambridge. Sheep's Green was one of 27 sites in England to receive designated bathing water status in May 2024 but is rated as having poor water quality. Mr Raine added: "I wouldn't advise swimming after a heavy downpour as you'll see lots of urban run-off from streets and pavements, you'll see run-off from agricultural land and you also could potentially get sewage spills."Water companies have done huge investments over the past few years to make sure that that most of the sites around our coast have ultra violet filtration and treatment so that kills 99% of the bacteria. "If bacteria has got into the water, it can still have an impact." He said people should also consider if the beach they are visiting has Blue Flag status. You can check bathing water quality on the Environment Agency's Swimfo website Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, or BBC Suffolk.
