More than 100 people have fallen ill, while dozens have been hospitalized with food poisoning following an outbreak of the bacteria E coli, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The 113 cases of E coli in Britain since May 25 have been described as part of a single outbreak, most likely linked to a “nationally distributed food product or multiple food products” due to the wide geographical spread of the cases, the agency said.
So far there have been 81 cases in England, 18 in Wales, 13 in Scotland and one person in Northern Ireland believed to have contracted the disease in England.
Of the 81 cases in England, 61 have provided the UKHSA with information about food, travel and possible exposures. Thirty-seven people in England have also been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak. All cases have been linked to the Shiga toxin-producing E coli O145 (Stec).
The UKHSA said it was working with public health authorities in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland to determine the cause of the outbreak.
Currently, there is no evidence linking it to open farms, drinking water, or swimming in polluted water bodies.
E coli is a large group of bacteria, some strains of which produce toxins that can make people seriously ill.
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps and high fever.
Other complications may include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), in which blood clots form throughout the body as a result of the disease. Some patients may also develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is life-threatening and associated with kidney failure.
Trish Mannes, incident director at UKHSA, said: “If you have diarrhea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends.
“NHS.uk has information about what to do if you have symptoms and when to seek medical advice.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using disinfectants to clean surfaces can help prevent the spread of infection.
“If you are feeling unwell with diarrhea and vomiting, you should not prepare food for others while you are unwell and you should avoid visiting people in hospitals or care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings.
“Do not return to work, school or daycare until 48 hours after your symptoms have disappeared.”
Darren Whitby, head of incidents and resilience at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), said: “The FSA is working with UKHSA and relevant public health authorities to identify the source of the illness, which is likely linked to one or more food items.
“We always advise consumers and people caring for vulnerable people to ensure 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 food contacts are thoroughly cleaned to prevent cross-contamination. infection.
“You should not prepare food for others if you have had symptoms, or for 48 hours after symptoms have disappeared.”