A recent E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom has caused the sickness of at least 275 people in the past month, with one person reported dead. The outbreak, which has resulted in 122 hospitalizations, is believed to be linked to lettuce in pre-packaged sandwiches, according to the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
E. coli bacteria are typically found in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, and certain strains can cause a range of illnesses including urinary tract infections, cystitis, intestinal infections, and vomiting. While two patients with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli died in May due to their underlying medical conditions, only one death was thought to be directly related to the infection itself.
The majority of those affected by the recent outbreak suffered from bloody diarrhea as reported by UKHSA. Several companies that produce sandwiches sold in popular grocery stores and retail chains across the UK have issued voluntary recalls for products such as sandwiches, wraps and salads starting on June 14th. Though the number of new cases has decreased lately, the investigation into the source of this outbreak remains ongoing.
