Serious cases of E. coli have risen by more than 4,000 in a single year, the biggest annual increase in four years, new government figures show.
A MailOnline analysis of the latest data revealed that infections have risen by around 10 per cent since last year, totalling more than 46,000 cases in England between June 2023 and June 2024.
The past three years have seen much smaller increases, of around only four percent.
The virus, which can spread through contaminated water or food or through other infected people, typically causes fever, nausea and diarrhea.
In most cases, symptoms disappear within a few days. However, for vulnerable people with weakened immune systems, it can be fatal.
Infectious disease experts explained today that the increase (which is linked to the presence of E. coli confirmed by blood tests, usually in a hospital setting) was likely due to an increase in elective surgeries and in the number of older people hospitalized.
Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia and a specialist in bacterial infections, said: ‘Most cases will be detected in very sick patients who have been admitted to hospital for something else and either catch it in hospital or already have it and doctors detect it.
“They will almost certainly be in hospital when they are diagnosed because it is very difficult to test for the infection in general medical practice.”
However, Professor Hunter adds that the type of E. coli detected in hospital is not the same as that contracted by eating rotten chicken or dirty water.
“One of the most common causes of E. coli bacteremia is urinary tract infections (UTIs), where bacteria from the bladder enter the bloodstream through the genitals,” she said.
“Bacteraemia means that there are bacteria in the blood. When they start to spread and grow in the bloodstream, that’s when you get seriously ill.”
He added that there was “no single reason” for the intriguing rise in severe E. coli cases this year.
“Part of this may be because more labs are reporting cases. It may also be because we are doing more elective surgeries, which are a known risk for E. coli.”
Hospitals have also seen more older people admitted with respiratory problems, including RSV, he said.
‘If you are older you are more likely to have a urinary catheter, which is an important risk factor.
‘Similarly, as you get older, you may have more intestinal problems that could eventually lead to bacteria entering your blood.’
The data, published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on Wednesday, found the NHS recorded 46,416 cases in England in 2023/24.
In comparison, in 2022/23 and 2021/22, 42,662 and 41,087 cases were recorded.
Even before the pandemic, the figure was just 44,257 in 2019/2020.
Separately, Experts have also long been concerned about Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a strain of the microorganism that causes diarrhea.
Symptoms of the infection range from stomach cramps and vomiting to bloody diarrhea, according to UKHSA, with about half of infected people experiencing the latter.
However, it is often difficult to detect because the same symptoms can be caused by a variety of bacteria, including norovirus.
STEC is considered to be extremely contagious and in up to 15 percent of cases, the organism can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal disease that can lead to kidney failure.
Between June 2023 and June 2024, more than 46,000 cases of E. coli bacteraemia (found in blood) were recorded in England, an increase of almost 10 percent compared to the previous year.
STEC can also be transmitted by touching infected animals or their feces directly, as well as by coming into direct contact with waste from infected people, for example in the case of caregivers who care for the elderly.
It can also spread through contaminated water, either by drinking it or accidentally ingesting it while swimming.
Earlier this year a fatality was attributed to a STEC outbreak that was It is believed to be related to contaminated salad leaves.
More than 60 Sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in 11 major UK stores were also… Slapped with “do not eat” warnings for fear that they might contain STEC.
Experts believe the texture of lettuce makes it more likely to be contaminated with E. coli through water contaminated with feces from infected animals, in addition to the fact that it is not cooked, which would normally kill the microbes.
According to official figures, the number of times sewage has been dumped into England’s waters has increased 24-fold since 2016.
This comes after Britons were told this week they could be at especially high risk of contracting the virus – which causes at least 120 hospitalisations each year – this summer, due to unusually high levels of rainfall.
Previous research has found worryingly high levels of E. coli (which can also be found in meat and other food products) in many of the UK’s waters, including the River Thames and the River Tone in Somerset.
Large amounts of rainwater can cause an increase in the presence of bacteria due to UK water laws.
Water companies are allowed to dump wastewater into open water after heavy rains to prevent the system from becoming overloaded.
But such spills happen all too often, activists say.
According to official figures, the number of times sewage has been dumped into England’s waters has increased 24-fold since 2016.
Britons are advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP if they or their children show any symptoms of E. coli infection.
For children under five, symptoms may include disinterest in breast or bottle feeding and signs of dehydration such as fewer wet diapers.
Both adults and children are advised to call NHS 111 or their GP if they continue to vomit for two days or have diarrhoea for a week.
Anyone who experiences bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the anus should call NHS 111 or their GP immediately.
Infected people are advised not to return to work, school or daycare until 48 hours after their symptoms have disappeared.