In some regions of Spain, the number of Escherichia coli infections increased in the first week of October. It was found that the infected were participants in the largest gastronomic event in the country, during which the best hamburgers in Spain are tasted and evaluated.
“We checked these cases and found 20 people who ate hamburgers at this festival. Two patients were hospitalized,” the Spanish Ministry of Health said.
The bacterium Escherichia coli can cause unpleasant health problems, points out Luis Buzón, spokesman for the local Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (SEIMC). “It produces a toxin that causes infections that can develop into complications such as hemolytic anemia or acute kidney injury,” said Buzón.
Escherichia coli bacteria
The bacterium is found in the digestive system of cattle and sheep. If it causes problems in humans, it means that the meat was contaminated and that it was eaten raw or undercooked.
Many visitors complained about undercooked or completely raw meat, writes El País. “My friends tasted burgers from several stands and the problem was the same everywhere. I don’t understand how it is possible that half of Pamplona is not in the emergency room because of poisoning. And I don’t know how it is possible that the Ministry of Health did not close the establishments, because those food stalls would not pass any hygiene control,” one of the visitors complained on Facebook.
Champions Burger, which organizes the festival, says it has received no evidence of any incidents in Pamplona, and denies allegations of non-compliance with hygiene regulations and food quality.
The “Best burger in the country” festival is the biggest gastronomic event of the year, during which restaurants from all over Spain travel to up to 15 cities. Hundreds of food trucks with their burgers are fighting for awards.
