- Authorities have not yet traced the origin of the STEC outbreak in the United Kingdom.
More than 100 Britons have been affected by a mysterious E. coli outbreak in less than a fortnight, health officials have revealed in a warning.
The source of the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a rare strain of the diarrhea-causing insect, has yet to be discovered.
But the UK Health Security Agency said it believes the cases are linked to a “nationally distributed food” or “multiple foods” and says it is investigating the cause.
More than half of the people known to have been infected by the bacteria became so seriously ill that they needed hospital care.
Victims include children as young as two years old, although the majority are young adults. according to UK health and food watchdogs.
Authorities have not yet traced the origin of the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a rare strain of the virus that causes diarrhea. But they believe it is related to a “nationally distributed food” or “multiple foods.”
Symptoms of the Shiga toxin produced by E. coli include severe diarrhea and vomiting, according to the UK Health Safety Agency.
But most infections occur in “young adults”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
He added that a total of 113 cases were recorded between May 25 and June 4.
Of these, 81 were in England, 18 in Wales and 13 in Scotland. Only one case has been recorded in Northern Ireland.
Almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of cases in England have been hospitalised.
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 food”. .
“We always advise consumers and those caring for vulnerable people to ensure that good hygiene practices are followed when handling and preparing food, washing hands regularly with soap and warm water and ensuring that equipment, utensils and surfaces with which foods come into contact are cleaned thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination.
‘You should not prepare food for other people if you have had symptoms, or for 48 hours after your symptoms go away.
“You can find more information about good hygiene practices: 4c and E. coli on our website.”
STEC is spread by eating contaminated foods, such as raw leafy green vegetables or undercooked meat.
These highly infectious bacteria can also be transmitted by touching infected animals or their feces and by coming into contact with other sick people.
Symptoms include vomiting, fever, stomach cramps and diarrhoea, according to the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA).
But in up to 15 percent of cases, the virus can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure.
Children under five years of age are the most affected by HUS.
However, it can also affect other vulnerable groups, including the elderly and the immunocompromised.
UKHSA bosses said people should take extra care to avoid infection and the possibility of passing it on to others.
