The number of people sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to lettuce leaves has exceeded 250.
Since the end of May, 256 patients have been confirmed in the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O145 outbreak.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland and Public Health Wales are investigating the rise in infections.
A total of 168 people are sick in England, 29 in Wales and 56 in Scotland. Northern Ireland has three cases who are believed to have been infected in England. Patients were seen in most age groups, with the majority being young adults.
Based on information from the 227 cases so far, at least 86 people have been admitted to hospitals.
Link to salad in sandwiches
Prepackaged sandwiches containing lettuce are a likely source of the outbreak.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have issued a precautionary recall notice for a number of products potentially contaminated with E. coli.
Samworth Brothers and Greencore Group have recalled a range of products sold at various retailers such as Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Boots, Co-op, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the FSA, said the agency was working with relevant businesses and local authorities to investigate.
“Several sandwich manufacturers have now taken precautionary measures to recall and recall various sandwiches, wraps, soups and rolls, as the food chain and epidemiological links have allowed us to narrow down the wide variety of foods consumed to the small number of lettuce leaves that were used in these products,” he said.
“While we are confident that the source of the outbreak is related to a small number of lettuce leaves, which we identified early on through extensive food chain analysis, work continues to identify the root cause of the outbreak with growers, suppliers and manufacturers. that steps can be taken to prevent recurrence. We will remain vigilant until the root cause of the outbreak is confirmed and will keep an open mind about possible causes of the outbreak.”
Legal action
Food safety experts at law firm Leigh Day have urged anyone who needs advice after being hit by E. coli in food products to get in touch.
A certified inspector who was diagnosed with E. coli after eating a type of sandwich that has since been recalled has called on Irwin Mitchell’s lawyers to investigate his illness.
John Daniels, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, bought a chicken and bacon Caesar wrap from Manchester Boots on May 11. Within two days, the 66-year-old began to feel ill and complained of stomach pain. He continued to have severe diarrhea and began passing blood.
Daniels was admitted to the hospital on May 19. He was diagnosed with E. coli the next day and was sent home on May 22. Five days later, he returned to the hospital and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
“What John has suffered over the last few weeks is very disturbing and he is understandably upset and distraught at what he has been through as a result of the E. coli infection,” said Sarita Sharma, a public health attorney at Irwin Mitchell.
“The UKHSA is now investigating and has determined that John’s illness is likely to have come from the recalled sandwich.” It is now vital, where possible, that we learn lessons for the future to keep consumers safe.”
Daniels said: “The past month has been traumatic. I had never been this sick before so I knew something was very wrong, but to be told I had E. coli and then Guillain-Barre syndrome was a huge shock. My condition worsened as I developed complication after complication. I’m still physically unwell and I don’t know if I ever will be, and hearing how many others have been affected is deeply upsetting.”
(To sign up for a free subscription to Safety News, click here.)