Enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterohaemorragic (EHEC) and verotoxigenic (VTEC) Escherichia coli in wild cervids

Abstract

Our study suggests the potential risk of transmission of VTEC, EHEC and EPEC strains from wild ruminants to humans via the consumption of venison and to domestic ruminants because of sharing of the same pasture. Indeed, many serogroups other than O157 EHEC have also been shown to be responsible for outbreaks in humans in several countries, and studies focusing solely on O157:H7 EHEC tend to underestimate this risk of transmission.