A 17-year-old student has been in intensive care for two weeks after she caught a strain of E coli.
Antonia Hay, who has had to undergo multiple surgeries, is believed to have caught the bacterial infection from food at a Christmas market in November.
The aspiring actor, from Buckinghamshire, has had part of her bowel removed in addition to a blood transfusion and dialysis in response to kidney failure.
Jemima Hay, her older sister, said: “She is lucky to be alive and has continued to show amazing determination and strength throughout this time, despite the immense stress, pain and trauma – all combined with an extreme phobia of injections.”
It is not known what sort of food led to her being diagnosed with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), caused by E coli 0157.
Antonia’s father, Steve Hay, believes it originated from food at a local market in Great Missenden.
He wrote on Facebook: “To anyone who may have experienced food poisoning symptoms at any restaurant, establishment or any market stall in Great Missenden during the Christmas Market, particularly on or from 25 November, please can you PM me.
“My middle daughter is fighting for her life after a serious bacterial infection suspected from eating something around this time and we have strong theories, but just need to know if anyone else was affected with any level of stomach issues or illness.”
Antonia is one of 30 confirmed cases of E coli across England and Scotland since July 2023, with one person having died, the Telegraph reported.
Most cases occurred in December, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issuing a recall notice for four cheese products on Christmas Day: Mrs Kirkham’s Mild and Creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire and Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire, which were part of Christmas hampers.
A further notice was issued on Wednesday by the FSA for the Waitrose artisan No 1 Kirkham’s Lancashire product. All the products are made by the same company.
“The cheeses are sometimes sold as a full block or served as individual portions and may have been provided as part of a hamper you’ve purchased or been gifted,” the FSA said.
“In some cases it’s been sold as part of a charcuterie grazing platter. It may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product.”
Antonia’s family have launched an online fundraising page to support her.
