Cases of deadly food poisoning from E. coli bacteria have risen by almost 80 percent in a year in Britain, according to new official figures - with six Britons confirmed to have died from the infection.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) reported 2,063 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in 2022, compared to 1,151 cases the year before.
STEC is one of the most dangerous forms of foodborne E. coli, capable of causing dangerous kidney failure, serious blood clotting disorders, and has also been linked to colon cancer.
In addition to the fatalities, 399 patients were hospitalized in England due to severe symptoms requiring emergency medical treatment.
In their annual report, the UKHSA links most of the cases to four outbreaks that have been traced to contaminated meat, salad leaves and dairy products.
The most common cause was the O157 strain of STEC, with 762 cases recorded – more than double last year's total and the highest level in almost a decade.
Among patients with known outcomes, one in three infected with the O157 strain – 233 in total – required hospital treatment.
Thirteen of those hospitalized developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a serious complication that can cause dangerous kidney damage.
Children under five years of age are most at risk, as their immune systems are still developing and their kidneys are more susceptible to damage caused by the bacteria's toxins.
Unfortunately, three patients who developed HUS from O157 infection died as a result.
The UKHSA stated that a single massive outbreak accounted for 200 cases of O157 STEC, however this does not explain the entire increase observed.
While health officials acknowledged that part of the increase may have been due to the end of COVID-19 restrictions — which had helped limit the spread of E. coli — they said that did not fully explain the rate of increase.
Changes in reporting methods could also be a factor, they added.
Other theories include an increase in the number of people susceptible to serious diseases, such as those who are obese.
It may also be the case that more consumers are choosing popular sources of the bacteria, such as green salads, whether in ready-made sandwiches or packaged salads.
Studies suggest that leafy green vegetables are responsible for half of E. coli outbreaks.
Experts believe that the texture of lettuce makes it more prone to harboring bacteria, and the fact that it is often not cooked – which would usually kill germs – increases the risk.
The UKHSA also blames warm, humid weather for some of the STEC cases recorded in 2022, as it creates “ideal” conditions for the pathogen to spread.
"Extended periods of heat," including temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, "followed by heavy rainfall" likely caused contaminated soil to mix with water, then spread onto crops, they added.
The increased prevalence of this bacteria is also concerning after a study published earlier this year suggested that E. coli – including STEC strains – may be to blame for a worrying increase in colon cancer cases in people under 50. /Express newspaper/
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