Five E. coli cases identified in the Netherlands

     THE HAGUE, June 1(Xinhua) -- Five people in the Netherlands have been sickened with an unusual strain of the E. coli bacteria, the institute for public health (RIVM) reported Wednesday.

    Of the five patients, four also suffered from intestinal¹ problems and renal failure. The five who are infected all had recently been in Germany.

    The patients were infected with enterohaemorrhagic E.coli, or EHEC, a particularly deadly strain of the common bacteria found in the digestive(消化) systems of cows, humans and other mammals.

    The outbreak has hit at least eight European countries but virtually all of the sick people either live in Germany or recently traveled there.

    Medical authorities appeared no closer to discovering either the source of the infection or the mystery at the heart of the outbreak: why the unusual strain of the E. coli bacteria appears to be causing so many cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome², which attacks the kidneys and can cause seizures³, strokes and comas⁴.

    Earlier this week German researchers showed that Dutch cucumbers were not the cause of the contamination.

    "It is essential to quickly find the source, as long as that is not found, the contamination can spread. It's a very aggressive bacteria and many people are seriously ill," a RIVM spokesman said.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 intestinal   

adj.肠的；肠壁；肠道细菌

参考例句：

• A few other conditions are in high intestinal obstruction. 其它少数情况是高位肠梗阻。 来自辞典例句
• This complication has occasionally occurred following the use of intestinal antiseptics. 这种并发症偶而发生在使用肠道抗菌剂上。 来自辞典例句

2 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

3 seizures   

n.起获( seizure的名词复数 )；没收；充公；起获的赃物

参考例句：

• Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year. 今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Other causes of unconsciousness predisposing to aspiration lung abscess are convulsive seizures. 造成吸入性肺脓肿昏迷的其他原因，有惊厥发作。 来自辞典例句

4 comas   

n.昏迷( coma的名词复数 )

参考例句：