Urgent warning to parents about mysterious E. coli outbreak that has left one Briton dead and six hospitalized – as health chiefs say it mainly affects children

A Briton has died in a mysterious outbreak of E. coli that mainly affects children, MailOnline understands.

Another six have been hospitalized by an exceptionally rare strain of the diarrhea-causing bacteria.

Health officials are scrambling to find the source of the outbreak, which is believed to have originated in late May. Investigations are underway.

Patients reported eating grated hard cheese before feeling sick, it was claimed. Others mentioned strawberries, cucumbers, peppers and watermelon.

But officials insist there is no evidence that any of the foods are responsible.

However, they have ruled out a family adventure park in Surrey, which was forced to close two weeks ago due to an E. coli outbreak that left three children ill.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not disclosed the age of the deceased patient, or any of the six admitted to hospital.

The body, which is tasked with countering any threats from infectious diseases, said the ages of affected patients ranged from “under one to 74.”

But the UKHSA, working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), added that the ‘majority’ of patients are children.

Amy Douglas, the incident director, said: ‘The source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. But we are working with partners to investigate it.

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water and making sure young children are helped to wash their hands is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus.

‘Children under the age of five are not allowed to go to school/childcare/group care until they have been free of illness or diarrhea for two days.

“Visits to hospitals or care homes should be avoided if you feel unwell.”

The ongoing outbreak in Britain is caused by shiga toxin-producing E. coli O183 – a strain that causes gastroenteritis.

Symptoms range from mild to bloody diarrhea, the UKHSA says. Vomiting, fever and stomach cramps are other tell-tale signs.

But in severe cases, the bug can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure.

The tribe is very rare. Before the current cluster, only 15 cases had been reported in Britain since 2016.

Of the 25 cases noted in recent weeks, 19 were in England. All home countries have recorded cases.

The UKHSA has not disclosed whether the patient who died did so because of or with the infection.

Officials are now reminding Britons to contact NHS 111 if they or their children have bloody diarrhoea.

Most of those sick with the bug will get better within a week without NHS care. They are advised to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

STEC, or shigatoxin-producing E. coli, is spread by eating contaminated foods, such as raw leafy greens or undercooked meat.

The highly contagious bacteria can also be spread by touching infected animals or their feces and coming into contact with other sick people.

Cattle are the largest reservoir of the most common type of STEC seen in the UK – a strain known as 0157.

But the beetle has also been found in deer, rabbits, horses, pigs and wild birds.

Large outbreaks have been linked to food transfer, the UKHSA says.

Rajwinder Ubhi, Head of Incidents at the FSA, said: ‘The FSA is working with the UKHSA and other partners in response to recent reports of 0183 E. coli STEC reported in the UK.

However, the source of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed.

“As multi-agency investigations continue, it is important to follow our usual food hygiene advice to limit the spread of STEC, to help prevent cross-contamination and the risk of illness, which includes thoroughly cooking meat and meat products such as burgers and sausages, and washing fruit and cold cuts. vegetables before you eat them.’