An E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom has resulted in the death of one person and sickened at least 275 others in the past month, according to health officials. The outbreak, which resulted in 122 hospitalizations, was linked to lettuce in pre-packaged sandwiches, as reported by the U.K. Health Security Agency.
Two patients infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli died in May, with one of the deaths likely linked to the infection. Both victims had underlying medical conditions. E. coli bacteria normally reside in the intestines of healthy individuals and animals, with most strains causing mild diarrhea. However, some strains can lead to more serious health issues like urinary tract infections, cystitis, intestinal infections, and vomiting, with severe cases resulting in life-threatening blood poisoning.
More than 80% of the individuals affected by the recent outbreak experienced bloody diarrhea, as stated by the UKHSA. Companies responsible for producing sandwiches sold by major U.K. grocery stores and retailers issued voluntary recalls of sandwiches, wraps, and salads starting on June 14. Although new cases have decreased lately, the investigation into the outbreak’s source is ongoing.
In summary, an E.coli outbreak caused by contaminated lettuce has led to a significant number of illnesses and even fatalities in recent months in the UK. While most strains of E.coli are harmless and cause only mild symptoms like diarrhea, some strains can cause serious health issues if left untreated or not taken care of properly.
It’s important for people to take precautions when handling food items that could be contaminated with harmful bacteria like E
