[Infections with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)--results of an epidemiologic survey in Bavaria for the April 1996 to May 1997 time frame].

Using a report system of the Bavarian Public Health services 300 EHEC infections were registered within one year (Apr 1, 1996, to Mar 31, 1997) in Bavaria. These consisted of 22 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) (mean age, 2.8 yr), 6 cases of incomplete HUS (1.3 yr), 188 cases of enteritis (3.3 yr) and 84 asymptomatic infections (12.9 yr), respectively. From this follows an incidence rate for all infections of approximately 2.5 per 100,000 inhabitants and for HUS in the age group of children and juveniles up to 18 years of approximately 0.8, respectively. Possible sources (paths) of infection registered in relevant frequencies were: raw milk consumption (18% of the infected), farm-animal associated contact (43%), and contact with patients suffering from diarrhoea (36%).