According to the UK Health Security Agency, one individual has died in England as a result of the continuing E. coli epidemic.
The individual passed away in May due to complications with preexisting health issues.
Although the UKHSA reports that only one of two fatalities in England within a month of contracting the current strain of STEC was likely associated with the infection, the other victim also had preexisting health issues.
Several supermarket sandwiches that had salad leaves in them are believed to have triggered the E. coli epidemic.
The number of reported cases is already declining, which gives optimism that the epidemic may have stopped, and all of the patients that have been recorded so far had symptoms before 4 June. As a precaution, some food producers pulled certain items off store shelves.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), an E. coli (STEC) O145 epidemic has been linked to lettuce in the United Kingdom. Several sandwich makers have retracted and recalled a variety of sandwiches.
A total of 275 cases of E. coli O145 have been reported in the United Kingdom as of June 25th.
One hundred eighty-two were reported in England, 4 in Northern Ireland, 58 in Scotland, and 31 in Wales. Hospitalization has been necessary for at least 122 individuals since the epidemic started.
Although rates are decreasing, experts anticipate that the number of individuals infected with E. coli might rise due to untested patients.
The beneficial bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) aids in digestion, vitamin production, and defense against pathogenic microbes; it is ubiquitous in the environment, food, water, and intestines. Diarrhea, UTIs, pneumonia, and sepsis are among the symptoms that may be caused by some strains of E. coli.
Uncomplicated E. coli infections, which may be treated at home, can persist for up to two weeks. While the majority of individuals make a full recovery, some, such as young children or individuals with preexisting illnesses, may have severe illness. People should see a doctor if they are worried they may have an E. coli infection.
You may lessen your chances of contracting or spreading an illness by following these simple steps: washing your hands with soap and warm water, cooking meals to the proper temperatures, and staying away from individuals who are sick or in nursing homes.
Take a break from work, school, or the nursery for at least 48 hours until you no longer feel sick.
