AN outbreak of E. coli thought to be linked to nationally-distributed food has led to people being admitted to hospital, with 13 cases recorded so far in Scotland.
Whole genome sequencing of samples indicates that most of the 113 cases reported across the UK since May 25 “are part of a single outbreak,” the UKHSA said.
A statement said: “Based on the wide geographic spread of cases, it is most likely that this outbreak is linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items.”
The UKHSA said it was working with public health agencies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland to determine the cause of people’s illness.
All the cases recorded in the outbreak involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 (Stec), with 81 cases in England, 18 in Wales, 13 in Scotland and one person in Northern Ireland who believes they acquired Stec in England.
The people who have fallen ill range in age from two to 79, with the majority of cases in young adults.
Of the 81 people identified so far in England, 61 have provided information to UKHSA related to food, travel and potential exposures.
Of these 61 people, 61% have been admitted to hospital.
E. coli are a diverse group of bacteria that are normally harmless and live in the intestines of humans and animals.
However, some strains produce toxins that can make people very ill, such as Stec.
People infected with Stec can suffer diarrhoea, and about 50% of cases have bloody diarrhoea.
Other symptoms include stomach cramps and fever.
Symptoms can last up to two weeks in uncomplicated cases.
Some patients, mainly children, may develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) which is a serious life-threatening condition resulting in kidney failure.
A small proportion of adults may develop a similar condition called thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP)
