As Europe's E.coli crisis wanes, some experts are now warning of a looming threat: possible long-term kidney complications for many of the victims. Many of the roughly 3,200 E coli patients are returning home, and only a handful of new cases are being reported. But along with a record death toll of 38, the outbreak also produced an unprecedented number of patients with a rare ailment known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure.
Some experts have warned that Germany usually sees some 40 to 50 such cases a year; 784 people suffered from HUS in the outbreak. The complication usually hits about 10pc of E coli patients and kills up to 5pc of those infected.
Germany could now face dozens of patients needing kidney transplants. "We cannot forget these people," said Dr Karl Lauterbach, a health expert with the opposition Social Democrats. "We need more kidney donations, we need a better treatment system."
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