An E.coli outbreak linked to an unspecified 'major food' remains shrouded in mystery as Brits slam how it's been handled. The government issued an urgent warning on Thursday over the outbreak, which has been linked to a widely-distributed food.
But failing to clarify the source of the food poisoning illness has left millions in a state of confusion and fear. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there have already been 113 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) with most cases in young adults.
Patients however have been as young as two and as old as 79. It's thought that most cases, which have occurred since May 25, are "part of a single outbreak" and likely from food available to buy in the UK which experts say they're still trying to identify. With mystery surrounding the source of the outbreak, Brits have reacted with bemusement and frustration, including one who described it as "like a reverse treasure hunt".
X's resident doctor, Dr Phillip Lee, sarcastically quipped the warning was "super helpful", while on a more serious note, TV historian Dr Fern Riddell said "this has got to be one of the worst handled outbreak's [sic]" adding there had been "no information" and "no identification of what food item it is". Brits have now been issued a list of advice from the UKHSA, including to regularly wash hands with soap, washing fresh fruit and veg and to try and cook fresh food properly where possible. Anyone with symptoms of food poisoning - such .