Outbreak of a rare infection that causes blood and kidney disorders: 26 Israelis fell ill

A rare, life-threatening infectious disease is spreading in Israel: the Ministry of Health reports an unusual outbreak of a syndrome called “Hemolytic Syndrome” which causes blood cell destruction, coagulation disorders and kidney damage. So far, 26 Israelis have contracted the rare syndrome during 2024. The ministry suspects that the cases are related to infection with a faecal bacteria that excretes a dangerous toxin. The infection is most likely caused by poor hygiene or the consumption of contaminated food, especially meat that is not well cooked or vegetables and fruits that have not been properly washed.

HUS syndrome usually appears after an acute diarrheal illness, and it often develops following an infection with a certain strain of the faecal bacterium E.coli, known for its ability to secrete a toxin called “Shiga toxin”. The disease is more common among children under the age of five and tends to erupt in the summer season. The Ministry of Health stated that similar outbreaks were previously reported in other parts of the world, mainly in the context of food poisoning or contact with contaminated water sources.

The symptoms of the disease include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, weakness, decreased urination and symptoms of kidney failure such as edema and hypertension. The diagnosis is based on blood tests that reveal anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells, lack of platelets, and severe damage to the kidneys.

The treatment of the syndrome requires immediate hospitalization. The patients receive supportive treatment that includes intravenous fluids and balancing the salts in the blood, and in more severe cases dialysis treatment is required to deal with the kidney damage. In addition to this, there are cases where plasma exchange is used to deal with the damage to the blood vessels. The office stressed that quick treatment is critical to prevent long-term complications.

Following the outbreak, the Ministry of Health called on the public to observe maximum hygiene: wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and after contact with animals, wash vegetables and fruits before eating them, avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and its products and ensure thorough cooking of meat products before eating them. The ministry also calls on doctors and medical teams to report as soon as possible any case of matching symptoms, especially among patients who suffered from bloody diarrhea in the weeks preceding the onset of symptoms.

The Ministry of Health stated that they are working to deepen the epidemiological investigation and identify the sources of the infection in order to prevent another outbreak. The office urged the public to be alert and contact a doctor in case of suspicious symptoms, including bloody or mucous diarrhea, swelling in the legs, prolonged fever, and the appearance of skin bleeding that does not disappear with pressure.