Public
Health England (PHE) is investigating an outbreak of a strain of E. coli O157
which may be associated with eating leafy salad. To date 84 cases (figure
correct as at 1 July 2016) of this strain of E. coli have been identified (77 in England, 5 in Wales, 1 in the
Channel Islands and 1 in Scotland) with the majority of cases confirmed in the
South West of England.
PHE
has been working to establish the cause of the outbreak and identified that
several of the affected individuals ate salad items prior to becoming unwell,
although no individual supplier has been identified as the source. PHE is now
reminding people to maintain good hygiene and food preparation practices in
response to the current outbreak.
E.coli O157 infection can cause a range
of symptoms, from mild diarrhoea to bloody diarrhoea with severe abdominal
pain. On rare occasions, it can also cause more serious medical conditions and
can be caught by eating infected food or by contact with infected animals. It
can also be passed from an infected individual to another person if hand and
toilet hygiene is poor.
“PHE
has put in place heightened surveillance for this strain of E.coli and is and carefully monitoring
the reporting of cases across the entire country. To assist with this
investigation, we have convened a national outbreak control team to identify
the source of infection and to ensure all necessary control measures are put in
place.
“We
continue to stress the importance of good hand and food hygiene practices at
all times. It is vital to wash hands thoroughly using soap and water after
using the toilet, before and after handling food and after contact with any
animal and pets, including farm animals. Small children should also be
supervised when washing their hands.
“We
also urge people to remove any loose soil before storing vegetables and
thoroughly wash all vegetables, fruit and salad items that will be eaten raw.
These measures may reduce the risk of infection from any E.coli contaminated vegetables, fruit and salad but will not
eliminate any risk of infection completely. PHE will work alongside the Food
Standards Agency to provide any further necessary public health advice as
investigations continue.”
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