Person dies in Scotland after UK E coli outbreak, health officials say
An individual in Scotland has passed away from sickness caused by E coli. This seems to be the first fatality connected to a widespread outbreak that has impacted no less than 30 individuals.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, the death is linked to this current outbreak. They specified that the case occurred in Scotland, but they cannot give any further details about it.
According to the agency, there have been a total of 30 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (Stec) in England and Scotland that are definitely linked to an outbreak. This outbreak started back in July, but the majority of the cases have happened recently in December. The individuals affected by Stec range in age from seven years old to 81 years old, so both children and adults have been affected.
On Christmas Eve, the FSA and Food Standards Scotland took a safety measure by recalling four kinds of cheese made by Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire Cheese as there could be a chance of E. coli infection. Another product sold by Waitrose was added to the list of recalled products on 27th December.
The agency stated that they have conducted investigations into both the epidemiology and the food chain, and have discovered connections between certain cases and some of the unpasteurized cheeses created by a company located in England.
UKHSA is still investigating cases to find any connections, such as investigating whether individuals who got sick consumed or had contact with the cheeses that were recalled.
The items involved in the recall are as follows: Lancashire cheese in Mild & Creamy, Tasty, Mature, and Smoked varieties from Mrs Kirkham's, as well as Farmhouse Kirkham's Lancashire cheese from Waitrose and Partners.
Amy Douglas, the person in charge of dealing with gastrointestinal infections and food safety in the agency, advised individuals who think they might have caught the illness to abstain from traveling during the festive period.
At least 30 cases of this particular Stec outbreak have been officially confirmed in the UK, according to the speaker. Stec symptoms include serious cases of diarrhoea, which may also be accompanied by bloody discharge, stomach aches, vomiting, and a high temperature. If one is experiencing these symptoms and actively vomiting or suffering from diarrhoea, precautions may be taken to prevent the spread of the disease to loved ones during the holiday season.
To prevent infections from spreading, it's important to wash your hands with warm water and soap regularly, as well as use cleaning products that contain bleach when tidying surfaces. If you are experiencing symptoms, avoid preparing food for others or for at least two days after your symptoms have ceased.
A lot of people are going to travel during Christmas season. However, if you don't feel well, you must steer clear of going to hospitals and nursing homes to prevent spreading the sickness to vulnerable people in those environments. Plus, make sure to take a break from work or school until 48 hours after you've fully recuperated and all the symptoms have gone away.
A representative from Public Health Scotland has shared that there has been one fatality linked to E. coli O145 in Scotland. The authorities are still keeping a close eye on the situation in Scotland and collaborating with UKHSA, who are conducting an investigation at a nationwide level.
A representative from the government of Scotland expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased individual. The Scottish government, along with Food Standards Scotland and Public Health Scotland, will continue to provide support in the ongoing investigations.
We recommend that you take a look at the product recall information available on the website of Food Standards Scotland. Cheese may be a part of a hamper or sold as individual servings or as a present, which can make it difficult for you to determine if the product you bought has been affected by the recall. Hence, it is crucial that you check the website to be sure.
