GP gives advice on how to avoid potentially deadly E.coli outbreak

A GP has explained how to avoid getting a potentially serious infection from food after it emerged 113 people have fallen ill. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), together with public health agencies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, are investigating an increase in the number of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases.

It is not known what the source of the outbreak is - but it has seen 81 cases in England, 18 in Wales and 13 in Scotland. The UKHSA has said it currently is investigating what is causing the illnesses - only at this point saying ‘it is most likely that this outbreak is linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items’.

In an interview on GB News NHS GP Dr David Lloyd explains how to avoid ingesting harmful E.coli from food. He said that at this stage it was hard to say if it was linked to fresh or packaged food.

He added previous health scares gave some insight: “We’re all used nowadays to those instant salad packs, aren’t we which are all nicely cut up for us and the warning on the front, which is ‘please wash it’.

“I think that those are the sorts of things one should do. One shouldn’t just take a packet of uncooked food without making sure it’s thoroughly washed before you use it.

“So certainly there have been lettuce outbreaks. There have been ground beef outbreaks. And as I say, there’s very odd Fenugreek sprout outbreak, all of which have killed people in the past.” Dr Lloyd said a key symptom was blood in the stool.

Infections caused by STEC bacteria can cause severe bloody diarrhoea and, in some cases, more serious complications. It is often transmitted by eating contaminated food but can also be spread by close contact with an infected person, as well as direct contact with an infected animal or its environment.

Cases range in age from 2 years old to 79 years old, with the majority of cases in young adults. The UKHSA has issued advice on steps you can take to reduce your risk of gastrointestinal infections, as well as limiting the spread to others:

• regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap — alcohol gels do not kill all bugs that cause diarrhoeal illness

• follow food hygiene measures such as washing fruit and vegetables and cooking food properly

• if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you should not prepare food for others and avoid visiting people in hospitals or care homes to avoid passing on the infection

• you should not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped

Trish Mannes, Incident Director at UKHSA, said: “Symptoms of infections with STEC include severe and sometimes bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends. NHS.UK has information on what to do if you have symptoms and when to seek medical advice.

“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using disinfectants to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading. If you are unwell with diarrhoea and vomiting, you should not prepare food for others and avoid visiting people in hospitals or care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings. Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.”

Wendi Shepherd, Consultant in Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales is working with partners in the UK and across the Welsh NHS to investigate this incident. There are currently 18 cases identified in Wales and healthcare providers have been advised of the increase in cases. We would advise anyone who has experienced bloody diarrhoea or severe stomach cramps to seek medical attention.”

Call NHS 111 or contact your GP surgery if:

• you’re worried about a baby under 12 months

• your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill

• a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies

• you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets

• you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down

• you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom

• you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days

• 111 will give you advice. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.