E.coli outbreak claims first victim in England after at least 122 hospitalised
27 June 2024, 14:35 | Updated: 27 June 2024, 15:07
One person in England has died amid an ongoing E.coli outbreak, the UK Health Security Agency has said.
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The person died in May and had underlying health conditions, the agency said.
The recent outbreak has seen 275 confirmed cases of E. coli (STEC) O145 across the UK, as of Tuesday.
Across 249 recorded cases, 49% were admitted to hospital.
It comes after thousands of supermarket sandwiches, wraps and salad products were recalled earlier this month over possible E. coli contamination.
E.coli are a diverse group of bacteria that normally live in human and animal intestines - some are harmless but others can cause serious illness.
The type identified in this outbreak, Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O145, can attack the gut’s lining.
A food manufacturer recalled the products, which are sold in major UK supermarkets, due to a potential link to the outbreak.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it was thought that lettuce used in the products was the likely source of the outbreak.
All confirmed cases began experiencing symptoms before June 4, the UKHSA said.
Amy Douglas, Incident Director at UKHSA, said: “We’re pleased that fewer cases have been reported, however we still expect to see a few more cases linked to this outbreak as further samples are referred to us for testing.
“Symptoms of infections with STEC include severe and sometimes bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. While diarrhoea and vomiting can have a range of causes, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk and the risk of infecting others.”
Ms Douglas advised anyone with the infection to wash their hands with soap and warm water and to use disinfectants to prevent it spreading.
A full list of the products recalled was released at the time.
Full list of recalled products:
Aldi
- Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
by Amazon
- BLT Sandwich - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken & Bacon Layered Salad - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken Salad Sandwich - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Ploughman's Sandwich - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Prawn Layered Salad - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
Asda
- Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- Chicken & Bacon Club (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- BLT (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Vegan No Chick'n Caesar Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- Tuna Crunch Sub Roll - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- Southern Fried Chicken Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
- Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 15 June 2024
Boots
- BBQ Chicken wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- BLT (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Cheddar Cheese Ploughman's (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken Triple (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Delicious Ham & Cheese Ploughman's (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Halloumi & Greek Style Salad wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Ham & Egg Club (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Mixed Triple (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Southern Fried Chicken Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Spicy Bean & Cheese Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Vegan No Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Vegan No Duck & Hoisin Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Veggie Triple (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
Co-op
- Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Mexican Style Bean & Cheese Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Ham, Cheese & Pickle (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Ham & Cheese Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 17 June 2024
- Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
Morrisons
- Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken Salad PFS (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Gluten Free Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Gluten Free Sandwich Platter - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
Sainsbury's
- Peri Peri Chicken Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- BBQ Pulled Pork & Red Leicester (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Focaccia (Sandwich) - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Greek Style Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
- Jerk Halloumi Wrap - Use by All dates up to and including 16 June 2024
More updates to follow
