Despite no cases of E. coli contamination or related hospitalisation being reported in the UAE so far, authorities continue to urge members of the public to practice caution when purchasing or consuming fresh produce. Concerns arose earlier this week due to reports of at least 16 deaths occurring in Europe as a result of poisoning by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, known as EHEC, allegedly present in Spanish vegetables, particularly cucumbers. The Ministry of Foreign Trade conducted a study of the UAE\'s agricultural imports and released its results Thursday. \"The UAE gets only 2 per cent of its cucumber imports from Europe, whereas 98 per cent of our cucumber imports come from non-European countries. Of those, Jordan supplies around 50 per cent of our cucumber imports, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (18 per cent) and Iran (14 per cent). Also, the only European countries that the UAE imports cucumbers from are Spain and Holland, and not from Denmark and Germany, which are currently experiencing E. coli outbreaks,\" a ministry spokesperson said. A spokesperson from the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) that manages public hospitals and clinics in the emirate also confirmed that so far, its facilities had not seen any cases of E. coli poisoning related to the outbreak being reported in Europe. Dr Roshan John, an internal medicine specialist physician at Lifeline Hospital, said he too had not seen any patients with E. coli poisoning related to the outbreak. \"E. coli is a bacteria that is commonly found in the urinary tract and the gastrointestinal system, and some strains can cause urinary infections, diarrhoea or inflammation of the heart. However, in more harmful strains, it can lead to renal shutdowns or septic shocks, or even cause meningitis in babies,\" Dr John explained. He said the bacteria is typically transmitted in unhygienic conditions, and that problems related to E. coli was less common in developed countries. \"E. coli poisoning through vegetables is itself very unusual. However, if it does occur, it would lead to symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dehydration, and blood in bowel movements,\" the doctor said. As tests which detect harmful E. coli strains take time to be processed, Dr John recommended immediate hospitalisation. \"The patients would also need to be treated using antibiotics, and need plenty of fluids and proper hospital care,\" he said. The Ministry of Environment and Water said no cases of E. coli poisoning in the UAE had been reported and that all possible measures were being taken to ensure produce imported from Europe were undergoing thorough screening at all entry points. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a rod-shaped bacterium typically found in the urinary tract and gastro-intestinal system. However, harmful strains like Ecoli that has recently raised concerns can cause diarrhoea and urinary infections, along with renal shutdowns, septic shock, organ dysfunction and even meningitis in small children. When detected via stool tests, doctors advise immediate hospitalisation, and treatment with antibiotics and fluids. How to avoid food poisoning     * Boil vegetables before eating to kill bacteria, especially when preparing food for children.     * Wash hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the restroom.     * Keep children\'s nail clippings clean.     * Encourage proper personal hygiene among children, particularly after sports.     * Check vegetables carefully when buying, and try not to purchase produce that is more than two days old. From / Gulf News