According to testing, the majority of the 113 cases that have been documented in the UK are associated with a single outbreak that is thought to be connected to a “nationally distributed food item” (UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA). The organization withheld additional information regarding the items that might harbor the pathogen.The age range of those afflicted is two to 79 years old, with young adults accounting for the majority of infections.
As per the UKHSA, there are currently:
81 instances were reported in England; 18 in Wales; 13 in Scotland; and 1 in Northern Ireland, where there is evidence that the patient contracted the virus while traveling to England.
Every hospitalized person was in England.
According to the UKHSA’s director of strategic response, Dr. Will Welfare, infections are “likely to rise”.
He continued: “We expect to see further confirmed cases as we process more samples.”
The E. Coli O145 (Stec) strain that is responsible for the outbreak’s cases is known to produce Shiga toxin, which can result in fever, cramping in the stomach, and severe diarrhea.
Up to two weeks of symptoms are possible, and in certain patients—mostly children—it can culminate in hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a dangerous illness that can lead to kidney failure.
