One person has died in an E. coli outbreak in England and Scotland linked to cheese products.
Thirty cases of a rare strain of bacteria called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) have been reported in the UK since July, according to the UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA).
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced on Christmas Eve that it was recalling four different products from cheese maker Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese over concerns they may be contaminated with E. coli.
The deceased lived in Scotland and the other victims ranged in age from seven to 81.
But what is E. coli, how dangerous is it and what symptoms do it cause? I find everything you need to know.
What is Escherichia coli?
E. coli is a bacterium found in most people’s intestines, and most strains are harmless. Some, like STEC, produce toxins that can make you sick, have diarrhea, and be fatal.
STEC is often spread by eating contaminated food, but can also be spread by close contact with an infected person and by direct contact with an infected animal.
According to the UKHSA, symptoms of STEC infections can vary, but they are usually spread through eating contaminated food.
What are the symptoms and how deadly is it?
Torrun Govind, pharmacist and health expert, gave I Details about bacteria and how we can protect ourselves from them.
She explained that symptoms of a STEC infection can vary in severity, from mild diarrhea to severe abdominal cramps, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
Most people with a STEC infection feel sick three to four days after eating or drinking something containing the bacteria, but illness can begin one to 10 days after infection, she said.
Ms Govind said people with E. coli could stop the bacteria from spreading by isolating themselves at home for 48 hours from the onset of symptoms and not preparing food for others.
Govind also said the best way to stop the spread of bacteria is to wash your hands with warm water rather than hand gels and clean surfaces with bacteria-based products.
She also stressed that you should not prepare food for anyone if you have E. coli.
Ms Govind said those who are particularly vulnerable to the serious effects of STEC should avoid unpasteurized dairy products as they can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
She urged people to take steps to protect themselves from E. coli, saying: “It’s important to do what we’re told.”
“If you get to the point where you fall, get sick, you have to isolate. When you are at home, you must be isolated. You have to think about other people too. You should not return to work for 48 hours after symptoms appear.
“You should self-isolate as if you were suffering from any other form of food poisoning and not prepare food for anyone for 48 hours after symptoms appear.”
She said outbreaks of food poisoning were “not uncommon” during the Christmas period as many people “spend time together” and a lot of food is prepared at home.
Ms Govind also warned that 5-10 per cent of people may develop life-threatening complications or die as a result of STEC infection, but for most people it will be a mild illness.
She said people with fatal STEC urinate less frequently, feel very tired and lose the pink color in their cheeks.
According to the UKHSA, up to 15% of infections can lead to haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious and life-threatening condition that affects the kidneys and can lead to death.
HUS most often occurs in children under 5 years of age, but can affect other vulnerable groups, including older adults.
Can E. coli be treated?
According to Public Health England (PHE), there is no specific treatment for E. coli and the illness goes away on its own within a week.
They say it’s important to drink enough fluids because diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
PHE also does not recommend taking antibiotics as they may increase the risk of complications such as HUS.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.