A person has died following an outbreak of E. coli in the UK, health officials said on Friday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 30 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (Stec) have been recorded across England and Scotland in patients aged seven to 81.
The agency added a person from Scotland had now died following infection.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced a precautionary recall of four products from cheesemaker Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire Cheese on Christmas Eve because of possible E. coli contamination.
The UKHSA said investigations were continuing into any common links between cases, including links to the recalled cheeses.
The FSA announced the recall for Mrs Kirkham’s Mild and Creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire and Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire on Sunday.
In a statement on Thursday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that at least 30 reported cases of E. coli were from the "specific outbreak strain" believed to have been in the cheese.
Amy Douglas, the UKHSA's incident director, said anyone in contact with the cheese should wash their hands "with soap and warm water" and use "bleach-based products to clean surfaces" to stop the infection from spreading.
"If you are unwell, you should avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings," she said.
"Do not return to work or school, once term restarts, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped."
The FSA said the products might be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (STEC), which can cause symptoms including severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain and occasionally haemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition which damages blood vessels and can lead to clots forming as well as fatal kidney failure.
The product can be returned to where it was bought from for a full refund.
Point of sale notices will be displayed where the products were sold explaining why they have been recalled and what to do if they have been purchased.
Both agencies said they would "continue to work closely together and with local authorities in response to this outbreak".
Further recalls "may be undertaken" if other products are found to be affected, they added.
When it comes to storing Christmas food, GP Dr Babak Ashrafi from Asda Online Doctor said people should use their common sense.
He said: “It is generally safe to keep food for a couple of days after Christmas, as long as it is refrigerated and stored properly. But use your best judgement before eating any leftovers, and be sure to throw away any food that doesn’t look or smell safe to eat.
“Leaving meat at room temperature, or not refrigerating it at low enough temperatures, can encourage bacteria to grow and lead to foodborne illnesses.
“Certain bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, thrive on meat and can make you very sick. Food contaminated with these bacteria can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in very serious cases, require medical treatment.”
