The head of the National Center for the Implementation of International Health Regulations at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sundus Al-Qabandi, has addressed the Director of the Central Department of Health Care, Dr. Dina Al-Dhubaib, on the alert that has been sounded regarding the discovery of Escherichia coli bacteria in spinach and watercress products coming from the Netherlands.
According to the circular, a copy of which has been obtained by a local Arabic daily, the National Center for the Implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) received a notification through the Infosan Secretariat (International Food Safety Authority) on September 7, 2022 stating the Escherichia coli bacteria that produce shiga toxin in spinach and watercress products coming from the Netherlands has been discovered.
The aforementioned product was reported from the European Rapid Early Warning System for Food and Feed (RAFF) of the European Commission on August 31, and it was found that the product had been distributed internationally to many countries, including the State of Kuwait.
The circular called for the need to strengthen surveillance for any potential disease cases that may be discovered related to the consumption of the product covered by the notification, in health centers, with the importance of quickly informing the center if any infected case is discovered, as the National Center follows up on the emergency health event, and will circulate any updates in this regard.