Health authorities have warned Britons that E.coli is on the rise across England, just as the latest data revealed that cases jumped by more than 25 per cent in 2024.
The UK Health Security agency released the data illustrating the jump in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections last week.
The data, which showed that 2,544 culture-confirmed cases of STEC were reported over the course of 2024, demonstrated a 26.1 per cent jump from cases recorded the previous year.
The spike in the number of infections was partly caused by an outbreak in June last year which was connected to contaminated salad leaves, according to top figures.
An outbreak last summer was partially to blame for the overall spike
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As a result, senior officials released guidance in a bid to reduce infections across England, which can be spread via the consumption of contaminated food or water, contact with animals or their faeces, or contact between humans.
Deputy Director of Gastrointestinal infections, Food Safety and One Health at UKHSA Dr Gauri Godbole said: “If you have any STEC symptoms, like mild to bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and dehydration, wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products to clean surfaces. Don’t prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop.
"It is important for parents to make sure that young children wash their hands with soap and hot water and dry them thoroughly before eating where possible, especially after playing outdoors and visiting pet farms."
Additionally, for those travelling abroad, they must continue to remember standard hygiene practices to minimise their chances of falling ill.
On a more serious note, he added: “Rarely STEC can progress to cause kidney failure and life-threatening illness, particularly in young children and elderly.”
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If you have experienced symptoms, he recommended consulting your GP or healthcare professional if you have blood in your stool or are experiencing severe dehydration.
Meanwhile, Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Natasha Smith offered a few words of advice, saying: “When preparing food at home, people can reduce their risk of food poisoning by following good hygiene practices and by following advice on the 4Cs of food hygiene: chilling, cleaning, cooking, and avoiding cross-contamination."
STEC are made up of bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, causing afflicted individuals to suffer mild to severe symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration, stomach cramps as well as mild to bloody diarrhoea.
In more serious instances, the bacteria could cause haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), which can be life-threatening, although such an incident is rare.
Threat of infection can be reduced by washing hands regularly
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Over 2024, the predominant age group that was affected were children between the ages of one and four.
The reason behind the younger age group being one of the most affected is multifaceted. First, children, due to being younger, have simply had less time to become immune to certain bugs.
Secondly, they are simply yet to learn more advanced hygiene practices. What’s more, parents tend to seek health advice and care when youngsters display symptoms, increasing the possibility of transmission.
And, of course, children are far more likely to come into contact with farm animals, especially at petting zoos.