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E.coli infections on the rise 'thanks to petting zoos and salads'

The number of E.coli infections has increased at more than two thirds of NHS trusts, figures have revealed.

Is it thought the increase may be linked to the increased popularity of petting farms and Britons’ new love for salad.

The bug is found in the guts of many animals and can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly.

It can also be passed on through contaminated salad leaves, fruit, cheese and meats.

Almost 70 per cent of NHS trusts have seen a rise in E.coli in the 12 months up to January this year, the Health Service Journal reported.

There were almost 40,000 cases of E.coli in England last year (Picture: Rex)
There were almost 40,000 cases of E.coli in England last year (Picture: Rex)

It said that more than 100 trusts have reported a rise in E.coli infections.

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The NHS has been given a target by the government to cut E.coli rates by 50 per cent by 2020.

Last year, figures released by Public Health England showed that cases of E.coli increased by 7 per cent from 35,764 in 2014/15 to 38,132 in 2015/16.

E.coli, or Escherichia coli, can lead to a form of kidney failure which may be fatal in some cases.

Scientists say cases of E.coli are increasing as the bacteria is becoming more resistant to antibiotics.

The figures published in the Health Service Journal showed that 60 hospital trusts – or a third of all trusts – have reported E.coli increases of at least 10 per cent in the past year.

John Illingworth, Improvement Fellow at the Health Foundation think tank, said: ‘The government’s plans seem to focus primarily on hospitals, when we know that the majority of E.coli cases are acquired in the community.

‘So a more joined up, whole system approach will be needed in order to make significant progress, tackling causes in the community as well as in hospitals.’