The first person has died of E. coli following an outbreak of the bacterial infection in Britain. The patient, who suffered from underlying health conditions, died in May, the UKHSA has revealed.
Officials said two people have died within a month of contracting the strain of the bacterial infection called Stec O145, but just one deaths is linked to the outbreak. The outbreak of toxin-producing infection, which has swept across the UK and is linked to lettuce products, has also left dozens of people in hospital. As of 25 June, the number of confirmed cases had risen to 275, an increase of 19 since the previous update a week ago.
At least 67 people have been admitted to hospital, with the UKHSA warning cases are likely to rise. Earlier this month sandwiches , wraps and salad products sold at major UK shops and supermarkets were recalled over a possible E. coli contamination.
FSA head of incidents Darren Whitby said the agency was working with the UKHSA to establish the cause of the outbreak, and it has narrowed the source to a “small number of leaf products”. He added: “This remains a complex investigation and we continue to work with the relevant businesses and the local authorities to ensure necessary steps are being taken to protect consumers. “Although we are confident in the likely source of the outbreak being linked to lettuce, work continues to confirm this and identify the root cause of the outbreak with the growers, suppliers and manufacturers so that actions c.
