In the United Kingdom, at least 275 people have fallen ill due to an E. coli outbreak in the past month, with one person reported dead, health officials announced on Thursday. The outbreak has been linked to lettuce in pre-packaged sandwiches by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The latest outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli has affected many individuals, with 122 individuals being hospitalized. However, only one death is believed to be directly related to the infection. Both patients who died had underlying medical conditions. E. coli bacteria are typically found in the intestines of healthy people and animals, but some strains can cause severe illnesses such as urinary tract infections, cystitis, intestinal infections, vomiting, and life-threatening blood poisoning.
According to the UKHSA, more than 80% of those affected by the latest outbreak experienced bloody diarrhea. In response to the outbreak, many companies that produce sandwiches sold by major retailers in the U.K. began voluntarily recalling sandwiches, wraps, and salads on June 14th. While new cases have decreased recently, the investigation into the exact source of the outbreak is still ongoing.
Earlier in May, two patients affected by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli passed away due to their illnesses but only one of these deaths was likely due to infection with this strain of bacteria according to UKHSA.
In conclusion, an E. coli outbreak linked to pre-packed sandwiches caused a significant number of illnesses and even led to a death among those affected during May and June 2021 in UK
