In a report in the Saturday Telegraph, published on the 30th December, 2023, it has been confirmed that a person has died from a lethal strain of E coli.
The person, who is unnamed, died on the 29th December. No further details have been released by Public Health Scotland or UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
The lethal strain of E coli is shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli-associated haemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS).
There have been at least 30 cases of STEC-HUS since July in the UK.
The infection is usually caused by ingestion of E coli contaminated food, including drink. Although the infection can spread from an infected person (in contact with their vomit or diarrhoea) The bacteria contaminate the large intestine and release the shiga toxin into the blood stream, which in turn infects the kidneys, causing severe tissue damage. The infection can travel to the brain and heart.
The infection mainly affects the At Risk Groups, check out: https://food-safety-training.net/blog/page/4
Although a 17 year old recently caught the infection and had to fight for her life. She had part of her large intestine removed, which was infected.
Also, people aged 7-81 have been known to catch this infection.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Diarrhoea for several days
Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) or tummy pain
Fever (temperature above 38°C) – some children may sweat and/or seem shivery
Sometimes, blood in the stool (poo), which may start a few days after children first get diarrhoea
Urinating (weeing) less often, passing smaller amounts, or sometimes not urinating at all
Feeling weak and tired
Looking pale – occasionally there are tiny pink or purple spots on their skin
Swelling of the body (oedema), especially around their eyes or legs and feet
Headache.
Several Mrs Kirkham’s cheese products have been recalled as a precautionary measure.