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London
The United Kingdom's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Thursday (June 6) that more than 100 people have become ill and dozens have been hospitalised with food poisoning following an outbreak of the bacteria E coli. In a statement, the UKHSA said, "As of 4 June, there have been 113 confirmed cases associated with this outbreak of STEC O145 in the UK."
Of the total cases, 81 were reported in England, 18 in Wales, 13 in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland. The agency said that typically, "we see around 1,500 cases of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) over a full year. Numbers of confirmed cases associated with this outbreak are expected to rise as further samples undergo whole genome sequencing."
The agency added that infections caused by STEC bacteria can cause severe bloody diarrhoea and, in some cases, more serious complications.
How does the bacteria spread?
According to the UKHSA, the bacteria is often transmitted by eating contaminated food but can also be spread by close contact with an infected person, as well as direct contact with an infected animal or its environment.
The source of the outbreak was not yet known, and the UKHSA pointed out it was most likely that this outbreak was linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items.
"The source of this outbreak is not yet confirmed but there is currently no evidence linking the outbreak to open farms, drinking water or swimming in contaminated seawater, lakes or rivers," the statement added.
A few precautions to observe
The agency advised people to follow a few precautions to limit the spread of E coli.
These were:
> Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap — alcohol gels do not kill all bugs that cause diarrhoeal illness.
> Follow food hygiene measures such as washing fruit and vegetables and cooking food properly.
> If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you should not prepare food for others and avoid visiting people in hospitals or care homes to avoid passing on the infection.
> You should not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.