What is E. coli and how can I prevent infection?

Health officials are investigating a toxin-producing outbreak E coli bacteria linked to at least one death in Britain and illness in another 250 people. But which organism is causing the outbreak and how dangerous is it?

What’s I coli?

Escherichia coli is a group of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains are harmless, but some produce toxins that can cause illness ranging from mild gastroenteritis and fever to severe bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear a few days after eating or coming into contact with the bacteria, but can develop within one to ten days. The illness usually goes away on its own within two weeks.

What’s behind the latest outbreak?

The rise in cases is caused by a type of Shiga toxin producing E colior StecIn England there have been about 1,500 cases of Cutting annually. In the month since the latest outbreak was detected on May 25, the UK Health Security Agency has recorded 275 cases, with more than 100 hospitalizations. Cases have been recorded in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been traced to lettuce in shop-bought sandwiches.

What does Shiga toxin do?

The toxin affects the body on several fronts. For example, it inhibits the production of proteins involved in basic physiology and causes uncontrolled immune reactions that affect the kidneys, intestines and central nervous system.

How do people get infected?

Stec bacteria live in the intestines of cattle, sheep and other animals. Their meat can become contaminated during the slaughtering process, making uncooked meat a common source of infection. But the bacteria are also spread through contaminated water and produce such as lettuce, alfalfa, Brussels sprouts, salami, fruit juice and unpasteurized milk. Other routes include contact with animals or their feces, or another infected person. The bacteria are highly contagious and can therefore spread quickly in households and in places where people have difficulty staying clean, such as daycare centers, schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

Who is most at risk?

Anyone can enter into a contract Stec infection, and many people will have only mild illness. But children and the elderly are most susceptible to serious infections. In some people, especially children under five, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a cause of life-threatening kidney failure. Adults can develop a similar, rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). This causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels around the body. The clots can slow or stop blood flow to the brain, kidneys, and heart.

Since June 25, about half of the people infected in the outbreak have been admitted to hospital. Two people died in May within 28 days of their infection. Although both had underlying health conditions, only one is believed to have died as a result of the infection. According to Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, the death rate has fallen Stec infections is about 0.5%, with most occurring in people 65 years of age and older. About 10% of infections can lead to HUS, which carries a mortality rate of up to 5%.

How can I prevent an infection?

Less than 100 Stec cells can be enough to cause disease, so good personal hygiene, ensuring salad vegetables are washed properly and that meat is thoroughly cooked and not left out are all important precautions. As always, wash your hands after using the toilet, changing a diaper, handling raw meat, before meals and after contact with animals. Do not swim in water that may be contaminated by cattle or sheep in nearby fields. Children and the elderly, who are at greatest risk of serious illness, are advised to avoid unpasteurized milk and other dairy products.

Is the outbreak over?

Although the peak of the outbreak appears to be over, there are likely to be more cases and more deaths. Leafy salads are a known risk for Stec infections and are hard to avoid, says Hunter, who thinks it may be impossible to know exactly how the lettuce got infected or even where it was grown. “New infections, at least from this source, seem to be under control, but of course that’s Stec infections are not that rare and will likely continue to be reported,” he says.