Study finds copper proves effective against new E. coli strains
As the World Health Organisation suggests the E. coli outbreak in Germany is a strain never before seen in an outbreak – O104:H4 – laboratory science conducted at the University of Southampton indicates a role for copper in preventing the spread of such infections. Professor Bill Keevil, Head of the Microbiology Group and Director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at the University of Southampton, explains: "A study looking at copper's efficacy against new strains of E. coli has just been completed. Although it did not specifically look at O104, all the strains investigated have died rapidly on copper."
On a dry copper surface, the study shows 10 million E. coli bacteria are eliminated within 10 minutes. On a wet copper surface, one could expect a total kill within around 45 minutes. This antimicrobial property is inherent to the metal, and shared with alloys such as brass and bronze.
In the wake of this outbreak, hand washing and careful food preparation have been highlighted as key concerns, as has cross-contamination. Any raw food placed on a work surface can contaminate other food, or have bacteria transferred onto it from previous items resting there. Deployed as a touch surface in food preparation areas, copper will continuously kill any pathogens that settle on it, reducing the risk of cross-contamination, and helping to prevent the spread of infection.
Source: University of Southampton
Articles on the same topic
- BGI sequences genome of the deadly E. coli in Germany and reveals new super-toxic strainThu, 2 Jun 2011, 13:35:01 UTC
Other sources
- E. coli outbreak points to gaps in US food systemfrom PhysorgThu, 2 Jun 2011, 23:00:32 UTC
- German E. coli may be new strainfrom UPIThu, 2 Jun 2011, 23:00:17 UTC
- Sequence Yields Clues to Germany's 'Super Toxic' E. coli outbreakfrom Science NOWThu, 2 Jun 2011, 22:10:07 UTC
- E coli strain previously unseen and 'resistant to antibiotics'from The Guardian - ScienceThu, 2 Jun 2011, 20:30:45 UTC
- Copper proves effective against new E. coli strains in new studyfrom Science DailyThu, 2 Jun 2011, 20:30:32 UTC
- E. coli outbreak points to gaps in US food systemfrom AP HealthThu, 2 Jun 2011, 20:30:20 UTC
- Study finds copper proves effective against new E. coli strainsfrom PhysorgThu, 2 Jun 2011, 17:30:31 UTC
- E coli outbreak: WHO says bacterium is a new strainfrom The Guardian - ScienceThu, 2 Jun 2011, 17:30:29 UTC
- E coli outbreak is a new strain, say German doctors - videofrom The Guardian - ScienceThu, 2 Jun 2011, 17:30:28 UTC
- E coli: the deadly European outbreakfrom The Guardian - ScienceThu, 2 Jun 2011, 16:00:34 UTC
- E. coli outbreak is a new strainfrom BBC News: Science & NatureThu, 2 Jun 2011, 15:00:20 UTC
- BGI sequences genome of the deadly E. coli in Germany and reveals new super-toxic strainfrom PhysorgThu, 2 Jun 2011, 14:00:40 UTC
- WHO: E. coli outbreak caused by new strainfrom PhysorgThu, 2 Jun 2011, 11:00:31 UTC
- WHO blames new E. coli strain for Europe outbreakfrom CBC: Technology & ScienceThu, 2 Jun 2011, 11:00:21 UTC
- WHO blames new E. coli strain for Europe outbreakfrom CBC: HealthThu, 2 Jun 2011, 11:00:17 UTC
- Virulent E. Coli Strain Spreads in Germany and Puzzles Health Officialsfrom NY Times HealthThu, 2 Jun 2011, 8:20:07 UTC
- Virulent E. Coli Strain Spreads in Germany and Puzzles Health Officialsfrom NY Times HealthThu, 2 Jun 2011, 4:40:05 UTC
- Germany wrestles with deadly E. coli outbreakfrom LA Times - ScienceThu, 2 Jun 2011, 1:30:30 UTC
- Smoking gun elusive in deadly E. coli outbreakfrom PhysorgWed, 1 Jun 2011, 23:00:25 UTC
- E coli outbreak in Germany adds 365 more confirmed casesfrom The Guardian - ScienceWed, 1 Jun 2011, 17:31:09 UTC
- Much ado about cucumbers | Derek Hargreavesfrom The Guardian - ScienceWed, 1 Jun 2011, 16:31:51 UTC
- European food outbreak soars; mystery deepensfrom PhysorgWed, 1 Jun 2011, 16:31:09 UTC
- Germany: 365 more sickened in bacterial outbreakfrom PhysorgWed, 1 Jun 2011, 14:01:08 UTC
- E. coli: Cases rising in Germanyfrom BBC News: Science & NatureWed, 1 Jun 2011, 11:30:21 UTC
- E. coli outbreak in Europe makes hundreds more illfrom CBC: HealthWed, 1 Jun 2011, 10:30:19 UTC
- E. coli outbreak in Europe makes hundreds more illfrom CBC: Technology & ScienceWed, 1 Jun 2011, 10:30:18 UTC
- Germany upholds warning for vegetablesfrom PhysorgWed, 1 Jun 2011, 9:00:30 UTC
- European food contamination kills 16, sickens 1150from PhysorgTue, 31 May 2011, 19:00:39 UTC
- E coli deaths rise to 16 with first outside Germanyfrom The Guardian - ScienceTue, 31 May 2011, 15:00:56 UTC
- More killed in European E. coli outbreakfrom CBC: HealthTue, 31 May 2011, 14:00:20 UTC
- More sick, dead, in European E. coli outbreakfrom AP ScienceTue, 31 May 2011, 11:30:19 UTC
- E. coli outbreak kills woman in Swedenfrom PhysorgTue, 31 May 2011, 11:00:23 UTC
- 14 dead in Germany as cucumber crisis growsfrom PhysorgMon, 30 May 2011, 22:00:33 UTC
- Europeans trade blame over E.coli outbreakfrom PhysorgMon, 30 May 2011, 19:00:39 UTC
- Sweden E. coli cases rise to 39from PhysorgMon, 30 May 2011, 16:00:50 UTC
- E. coli outbreak in Europe kills at least 11, sickens hundredsfrom LA Times - ScienceMon, 30 May 2011, 16:00:44 UTC
- Food poisoning reminds us that bacteria do have sexfrom The Guardian - ScienceMon, 30 May 2011, 15:01:03 UTC
- Suspected E. coli veggie deaths in EU rise to 11from CBC: HealthMon, 30 May 2011, 14:30:19 UTC
- Germany holds crisis meeting as killer bacteria spreadsfrom PhysorgMon, 30 May 2011, 10:30:25 UTC
- Outbreak of Infections Kills 10 in Germanyfrom NY Times HealthMon, 30 May 2011, 4:50:11 UTC
- E. coli cucumbers may be in Austria, Hungaryfrom AP HealthSun, 29 May 2011, 17:30:21 UTC
- Germany hunts source of deadly E. colifrom PhysorgSun, 29 May 2011, 15:30:28 UTC
- E. coli cucumbers may be in Austria, Hungaryfrom LA Times - ScienceSun, 29 May 2011, 14:30:24 UTC
- Up to 10 dead from E. coli outbreak in Germanyfrom CBSNews - ScienceSun, 29 May 2011, 2:00:14 UTC
- E. coli outbreak spreads, Spain distributors suspendedfrom PhysorgSat, 28 May 2011, 9:30:22 UTC
- E. coli outbreak spreading in Germanyfrom PhysorgFri, 27 May 2011, 15:01:05 UTC
- German E. coli outbreak crosses borderfrom CBC: HealthThu, 26 May 2011, 23:00:15 UTC
- Cucumbers May be Culprit in Massive E. coli Outbreak in Germanyfrom Science NOWThu, 26 May 2011, 20:00:29 UTC
- Cucumbers blamed for deadly German E. coli outbreakfrom PhysorgThu, 26 May 2011, 18:30:50 UTC
- German Scientists Finger Rare Serotype in Massive E. coli Outbreakfrom Science NOWWed, 25 May 2011, 15:50:10 UTC
- Suspected deadly E. coli outbreak in Germanyfrom PhysorgTue, 24 May 2011, 16:02:14 UTC