An urgent health warning has been issued after an E.coli outbreak was linked to a “nationally distributed food”.
An unspecified number of people are being treated in hospital due to the outbreak, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The UKHSA said testing indicates that the majority of the 113 cases reported in the UK are “part of a single outbreak”, but did not give further details about the “food” believed to be responsible.
The age range of cases ranges from two years to 79 years, with the majority of infections in young adults.
The cases are divided into:
• 81 in England
• 18 in Wales
• 13 in Scotland
• 1 in Northern Ireland (in this case, evidence suggests they contracted the infection while visiting England)
Of the 81 cases in Englandthe UKHSA said around 37 people were hospitalized.
In a statement, the agency said: “Based on the broad geographic distribution of cases, this outbreak is most likely linked to a nationally distributed food or multiple foods.”
The strain of E.coli spreading across the UK produces the Stec toxin, which can cause severe diarrhea as well as stomach cramps and fever.
Symptoms can last up to two weeks and in some patients, particularly children, it can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a serious, life-threatening illness that results in kidney failure.
A small proportion of adults may develop a similar condition.
It is often transmitted by eating contaminated food, but can also be transmitted by close contact with an infected person, as well as direct contact with an infected animal or its environment.
But the UKHSA has ruled out the possibility of the disease spreading through water, saying “there is currently no evidence to link the outbreak to open farms, drinking water or swimming in contaminated seawater, lakes or rivers”.
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Darren Whitby, head of incidents and resilience at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), said: “The FSA is working with the UKHSA and relevant public health bodies to identify the source of the illness, which is likely to be linked to one or more foods. Items.
“We always advise consumers and those caring for vulnerable people to ensure that good hygiene practices are followed when handling and preparing food, regularly washing hands with soap and warm water and ensuring that equipment, utensils and surfaces with the which foods come into contact with are carefully cleaned to avoid crossing. Contamination.
“You should not prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after your symptoms have disappeared.”
Although the origin of the outbreak remains unknown, the UKHSA has issued some further guidance to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the disease.
They said:
• Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap – alcohol gel does not kill all the insects that cause diarrhea
• Follow food hygiene measures, such as washing fruits and vegetables and cooking food properly
• If you have diarrhea and vomiting, you should not prepare food for others and avoid visiting people in hospitals or nursing homes to avoid passing on the infection
• You should not return to work, school or daycare until 48 hours after your symptoms disappear
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