What to do if your water is contaminated with E. coli Health experts in the UK have issued an urgent warning amid an outbreak of a bacterial infection that can lead to “severe bloody diarrhoea” and dangerous complications. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 113 recorded cases of E.
coli, believing it could be caused by a nationally distributed food item. Testing of samples suggests all of the cases since May 25 are "part of a single outbreak". A statement issued today by the UKHSA explained: “Infections caused by STEC [Shiga toxin-producing E.
coli] 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.” Symptoms of infections with STEC include severe and sometimes bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.
READ MORE Certain mouthwash could be raising your risk of cancer and other disease There has been an outbreak of E.coli in the UK (Image: Getty Images) The warning comes after a person in Scotland died from E. coli linked to cheese in December .
“Based on the wide geographic spread of cases, it is most likely that this outbreak is linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items,” the UKHSA said. “The source of this outbreak is not yet confirmed but there is currently no evidence linking the.
