Following the recent outbreak of E.coli in the UK, which led to a sharp recall of food from supermarkets, here are the key symptoms of infection to be aware of.
Following the recent outbreak of E.coli in the UK which led to manufacturers scrambling to recall food from supermarkets and Britons being warned to throw away sandwiches – here are four signs of infection to look out for.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) confirmed there were 211 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in the country as of Tuesday week. It was also reported that 67 people were hospitalized as a result of the illness. Stores involved in recalls of products feared to be contaminated with dangerous bacteria included almost all major supermarkets such as Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Boots and WHSmith have also ordered back food products.
Most known cases have been in young adults, but the bacteria is confirmed to have infected children as young as two and elderly people up to 79 years of age. The UKHSA has announced that they are working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland to investigate the source and cause of the outbreak.
On Monday, June 17 THIS! has issued a recall of a chicken and bacon wrap available exclusively at WH Smith. Earlier in the week of June 14, sandwich suppliers Greencore and Samworth Brothers Manton Wood also pulled their products from various UK supermarkets, including Boots, Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, OneStop and Amazon. All of these recalls were described as precautionary measures.
E. coli is a diverse group of bacteria that reside in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of bacteria are harmless and play a key role in maintaining a healthy intestinal tract, but some strains, such as E. coli O157, can cause serious foodborne illness. These pathogenic strains produce strong toxins that can lead to stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. In more severe cases, especially in young children and the elderly, the infection can result in life-threatening complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which affects the kidneys and, in very rare cases, death.
According to the NHS, symptoms of infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhea. People usually notice these symptoms begin three to four days after being infected by eating contaminated food, but symptoms can begin any time between 1 and 14 days after that. While most people recover in no more than a few days, symptoms of infection can last up to a fortnight.
The NHS recommends that if your child has diarrhea that is particularly frequent or severe, lasts for more than seven days, has severe and continuous abdominal pain, feels weightless or has signs of dehydration such as sleepiness, urinating less than usual and feeling dizzy or dizziness, you should see your GP. It also warns that if you develop bloody diarrhoea, you should call 999 and seek emergency help immediately. You may need antibiotics to treat the infection. It is also important to keep your hands thoroughly clean, especially after using the toilet if you think you may be infected, to prevent spreading the infection to others.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the FSA, which is dealing with the current outbreak, said: “This is a complex investigation and we worked quickly with the relevant businesses and local authorities to narrow down the wide range of foods consumed to a small number of salad leaf products which were used in sandwiches, wraps, wraps and rolls After a thorough analysis of the food chain, these products are being recalled as a precaution.
“Infections caused by STEC bacteria can cause severe bloody diarrhea and in some cases more serious complications. We therefore advise all consumers who have any of these products not to eat them. The FSA is here to ensure that food is safe. There are products on market that are not, we will not hesitate to take steps to remove them.”
Click here for a map of the UK showing the areas of the UK where E.coli cases are highest.