Australia's Federal Department of Health has been on the alert since the outbreak of the E. Coli epidemic in Europe and parts of the U.S.

In the UK, a warning has been issued to the public regarding the proper washing of hands after using the lavatory. A report from the Health Day News said that there is the possibility that these deadly bacteria may be transmitted through cellular phones by people who do not observe proper toilet habits.

Studies conducted by researchers from two universities in London show that more than 90 percent of mobile phones owned by 390 people from different cities were discovered to be infected with bacteria form E. Coli and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA.

Although no cases related to the epidemic has been reported in the country, Australian health authorities are monitoring the situation carefully and are preparing for any eventuality.

Since early this year, Food Standards Australia-New Zealand has not allowed the importation of fresh cucumbers or lettuce from Europe.

Pro-Biotic Bacterium

Medical researchers from the University of Adelaide have been conducting their own experiments and studies, according to the Science Daily. Scientists from the University claim to have created a so-called pro-biotic bacterium that can neutralize the contaminant from E. Coli which could threaten the human kidneys and blood vessels.

It has been published that the pro-biotic bacterium could be produced inexpensively by volume. Unfortunately, despite the interest shown by the scientific and medical sectors, there was no clear support from the business community to facilitate clinical trials.

The team of Australian experts believe that this discovery could have been used in Europe to save lives and money in health costs.

For the meantime, doctors are giving repeated warnings to practice sanitation strictly because E. Coli is very infectious.

Since the bacteria stems from waste, it is essential for people to wash their hands thoroughly after going to the comfort room.

E. coli bacteria are generally non-hazardous but the strain that cause people to be ill has the capacity to stick to intestinal walls where it pumps out toxins, sometimes causing severe bloody diarrhea and kidney problems.

Many of infected people have developed the Hemolytic Uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially deadly complication that can affect the kidneys.