澳大利亚维多利亚州正经历STEC细菌感染病例的显著增加，已导致两名幼儿在访问同一接触式农场后患上溶血性尿毒症综合征（HUS）并需住院治疗[1]。其中一名三岁儿童在Monash儿童医院集中监护室接受了四周治疗后出现永久性脑损伤，可能需要肾移植[1]；另一名两岁儿童则接受了17天的透析治疗并需输血两次[1]。
今年维州已记录超过160例STEC病例，已超过2023年全年的156例[1]。STEC可通过接触受感染动物排泄物、食用未熟肉类或饮用未巴氏消毒牛奶等途径传播[1]，其中五岁以下儿童及免疫系统受损人群为主要易感人群[1]。Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Claire Looker表示"卫生部门调查所有HUS报告病例以识别潜在感染源并预防进一步病例"[1]。卫生部门已建议农场增加洗手设施并张贴警告标志[1]。
A surge in STEC bacterial infections across Victoria, Australia has resulted in two young children being hospitalised with haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) following visits to an interactive farm.[1] One three-year-old child spent four weeks in intensive care at Monash Children's Hospital and sustained permanent brain damage, with a possible need for kidney transplant, while a two-year-old at the same facility underwent 17 days of dialysis treatment and required two blood transfusions.[1]
Victoria has recorded more than 160 STEC cases in 2024, surpassing the 156 cases documented throughout 2023 and the 235 cases in 2022.[1] STEC can spread through contact with infected animal faeces, consumption of undercooked meat, and drinking unpasteurised milk, with HUS primarily affecting children under five and immunocompromised individuals.[1]
Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Claire Looker stated that health authorities are "investigating all HUS reported cases to identify potential sources of infection and prevent further cases."[1] Dr Nick Larkins noted that "it could be any farm," emphasising that such incidents do not necessarily reflect poor hygiene standards.[1] Health authorities have advised farms to increase handwashing facilities and display warning signs.[1]