Particle.news
Download on the App Store
15 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

UKHSA Issues 48-Hour Alert After 26% Surge in E. coli Infections

The alert follows identification of contaminated beef, fruit and salad leaves in three of five non-O157 outbreak investigations

Image
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • 2024 saw 2,544 culture-confirmed STEC cases in England, a 26% rise year-on-year driven by non-O157 strains.
  • The largest outbreak from contaminated salad leaves caused 293 infections, 126 hospitalisations, 11 HUS cases and two deaths.
  • UKHSA and partner agencies investigated five non-O157 STEC outbreaks in 2024, tracing three to contaminated beef, fresh fruit and salad leaves.
  • Travel-associated infections rose 60.5% to 183 cases and the highest incidence was recorded among children aged one to four years.
  • Health authorities are urging symptomatic individuals to avoid preparing food for others for 48 hours and to adhere to the FSA’s food hygiene “4Cs”.