We will tell you the reality of Hamburger disease, the causes of hemolytic uremic syndrome and how to prevent it

What is hemolytic uremic syndrome?

In June 2020, a mass outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), an enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection, occurred at a private kindergarten in Ansan, and it became a big issue. This hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a disease that came to be called hamburger disease in the United States in 1982 after it was claimed that a mass outbreak occurred after eating hamburgers with undercooked patties. Calling hemolytic uremic syndrome Hamburger's disease is actually not an accurate term.

Of course, it is true that when you eat minced meat or meat that has not been sufficiently heated, as in the case of hamburger disease in the United States, there is a high possibility of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome. However, it is said that the factors that cause hemolytic uremic syndrome also include vegetables. When agricultural water used to grow vegetables is contaminated by livestock feces, it leads to enterohemorrhagic E. coli. In fact, in 2011, there was a case in Germany where a group of people infected with enterohemorrhagic E. coli infected with fenugreek sprouts was infected, and in 2012, in Japan, a group of people were infected after eating pickled cabbage. In the case of the Ansan kindergarten, the food provided to the children was gungjung tteokbokki, stewed burdock vegetables, and French toast, and it seems that the meat in the hamburger was not included.

Causes of hemolytic uremic syndrome

There are three main causes of hemolytic uremic syndrome: infection, medication, and heredity.

First of all, enterohemorrhagic E. coli is the main pathogen when it comes to infection, but some shigella bacteria and even influenza viruses have been linked to the outbreak.

In drug-induced cases, it can also be caused by immunosuppressive drugs. Chemotherapy, malignant tumors, and acquired immunodeficiency are also associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome.

In the case of the Ansan kindergarten, a family member who did not eat school lunch was also infected. It is believed that the common use of toilets is the cause. A patient carrying the pathogen flushed the toilet without covering the lid after using the toilet, causing infection among family members.

How to prevent hemolytic uremic syndrome

Prevention of hemolytic uremic syndrome is as follows.

First, you need to cook your ingredients safely. Heat ground meat to a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius or higher, and avoid mixing cooked and uncooked foods. Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed under running water, preferably peeled. It is recommended not to consume unpasteurized milk or fruit juice.

Second, you need to keep your ingredients safe. Be sure to keep meat, fish, and eggs separate. Raw ingredients should be cleaned after cleaning and changing utensils or washed frequently in hot water. Also, wooden cutting boards with scratches can breed bacteria, so it's a good idea to have a plastic cutting board or a meat cutting board if possible. Leftover ingredients after cooking should not be left at room temperature for more than 1 hour, and should be stored in a refrigerator below 4 degrees Celsius or in the freezer below -18 degrees Celsius.

In addition, hemolytic uremic syndrome is known to be particularly dangerous for the elderly and children. Children under the age of 10 should refrain from eating fish or meat sashimi, and make sure that the meat is cooked throughout, even when grilled. As there are infections among family members, it would be a good idea to educate them early so that they can make it a habit to flush the toilet with the lid on a regular basis.