EHEC - What is the role of BfR in the current EHEC outbreak event

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is responsible for scientific risk assessment in consumer health protection in Germany. The Institute assesses health risks, prepares recommendations for risk minimisation and communicates these processes transparently to the public. At present, BfR is involved in the investigation to resolve the current EHEC outbreak event. Several pillars serve to support this task: the development of laboratory testing methods, isolate and sample testing, the analysis of the outbreak as well as the health risk assessment of the bacterium EHEC O104:H4. In addition, BfR takes on an important function in risk communication between the authorities and bodies of the federal government, of the federal states and of the European Union.DE; en; efsa-focal-point@bfr.bund.d