The UK is in the middle of a significant E. coli outbreak, with 211 confirmed cases as of last week, with at least 67 patients needing hospital treatment.
While the cause of the outbreak has yet to be officially confirmed, numerous supermarkets have recalled food products, including a vegan chicken and bacon wrap sold at WH Smith, recalled today.
However, none of the items have been found to contain E.coli, but recalled as a ‘precautionary measure’.
Health officials are still trying to track down the source of the bacteria, a strain known as Stec O145, which has been associated with severe illness in humans.
But what is E. coli, and how can you catch it?
What is E. coli?
E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria that can, in some cases, cause severe illness, often through food poisoning.
One type of E. coli lives in the gut of people and animals. This strain is usually harmless, and even beneficial, helping to digest your food.
There are many types of E. coli bacteria (Picture: Getty/Science Photo Libra)
However, other, harmful, strains, can lead to infections in the digestive system which can, occasionally, be fatal.
All of the cases in the current outbreak involve the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 (Stec).
What are the most common E. coli symptoms?
While different strains of E. coli can cause infections, the most common symptoms of each are:
Diarrhoea, ranging from mild and watery to severe and bloody
Stomach cramps, or abdominal pain and tenderness
Nausea and vomiting
Patients may also have a fever.
Most people will suffer symptoms three to four days after being infected, but E coli food poisoning can strike any time between one and 14 days after exposure.
The E. coli, once in the body, releases a toxin which causes the symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to a condition known as haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which causes blood clots that can damage the kidneys – and is potentially fatal.
Signs of HUS included peeing less, tiredness, swelling and bruising.
It is important to wash your hands properly with soap after using the bathroom and before touching food to prevent the spread (Picture: Getty)
How do you catch E. coli?
E. coli infections most commonly come from eating contaminated food, such as raw vegetables that haven’t been properly washed or undercooked meat.
It can also be spread through contact with people who have the linness, especially if you do not wash your hands properly after using the toilet or handling food.
Swimming in contaminated water, such as ponds or streams, can also spread the disease – testing earlier this year revealed thousands of E. coli colonies in the Thames.
Contaminated drinking water and touching infected animals also increases the risk of illness.
Wash vegetables that will be served raw thoroughy (Picture: Getty)
A key step to preventing E. coli is to always wash your hands thoroughly after going to the bathroom or changing babies’ nappies, and before preparing, serving or eating food.
How do you treat an E. coli infection?
Most people with E. coli can be cared for at home, and won’t need medical treatment.
There is no specific treatment for an E. coli infection, but it is important to remain hydrated and drink plenty of water, as the body loses a lot of fluids when struck with diarrhoea or vomiting.
When should you seek medical advice?
The NHS recommends asking for an urgent GP appointment if you or your child has bloody diarrhoea.
Speak to your GP practice if you or your child has diarrhoea and:
it’s particularly frequent or severe
it lasts for more than 7 days
a severe or continuous stomach ache
weight loss
have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea
have signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Do antibiotics like metronidazole help cure an E. coli infection?
According to the NHS, antibiotics are not recommended for a gastrointestinal E. coli infection (food poisoning), and may increase the risk of complications.
Similarly, taking anti-diarrhoea drugs such as loperamide (branded as Imodium) is also not advised, because it can prolong exposure to the toxin.
How do you know if you have E. coli or salmonella?
Salmonella and E. coli are both causes of food poisoning, and have common symptoms – although salmonella generally causes sickness within a few hours after exposure, compared to days for E. coli.
They are both bacteria, but different types.
However, the only way to tell if you have been infected by one or the other is by having a stool (poo) sample analysed.
Which products have been recalled over E.coli fears?
WH Smith THIS! Isn’t Chicken and Bacon Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 18
Greencore Group:
Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Amazon BLT Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Asda Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda Chicken and Bacon Club (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda BLT (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots BBQ Chicken Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots BLT (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Chicken Triple (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Delicious Ham and Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Halloumi and Greek Style Salad Wrap with use-by date up to and including June 16
Boots Ham and Egg Club (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Mixed Triple (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Southern Fried Chicken Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Spicy Bean and Cheese Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Vegan No Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Vegan No Duck and Hoisin Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Boots Veggie Triple (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Amazon Ploughman’s Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Co-op Mexican Style Bean and Cheese Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Co-op Ham, Cheese and Pickle (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Co-op Ham and Cheese Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Co-op Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 17
Co-op Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Morrisons Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Morrisons Chicken Salad PFS (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Morrisons Gluten Free Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Morrisons Gluten Free Sandwich Platter with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Amazon Chicken and Bacon Layered Salad with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Sainsbury’s Peri Peri Chicken Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Sainsbury’s BBQ Pulled Pork and Red Leicester (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Sainsbury’s Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Focaccia (Sandwich) with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Sainsbury’s Greek Style Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Sainsbury’s Jerk Halloumi Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Amazon Prawn Layered Salad with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Asda Vegan No Chicken Caesar Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda Tuna Crunch Sub Roll with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 15
Samworth Brothers Manton Wood:
Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Chicken Salad Sub with use-by dates up to and including June 16
The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Chilled Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub with use-by dates up to and including June 16
OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 17
OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 17
OneStop Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 17
Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Hoi Sin Duck Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
Tesco Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 16
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