More strains of E.coli infection are now statutory notifiable diseases in Hong Kong under the city' s amended Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, which was gazetted and came into effect Friday.

The amendment widens the scope to cover other Shiga toxin producing E.coli, or STEC, strains, including E.coli O104:H4, behind the recent outbreak in Germany.

Due to the seriousness of the outbreak, there is a pressing need to strengthen STEC infection surveillance to ensure prompt implementation of effective public health preventive and control measures, the Center for Health Protection of Hong Kong said Friday.

The center has sent letters to all medical practitioners and hospitals urging them to stay vigilant for STEC infections and to notify the Director of Health of any suspected cases, as required by law.

The center will continue to monitor the Germany outbreak.