Salad linked to E. coli poisoning according to Public Health England

July 5, 2016

Public Health England is investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157
Has so far affected 109 people, mainly in the south-west of England
Several victims ate mixed salad leaves including rocket prior to being ill

Anna Hodgekiss for MailOnline

Published:
11:51 EST, 5 July 2016

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Updated:
12:32 EST, 5 July 2016

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More than 100 people have been infected with E. coli that may be linked to eating mixed salad leaves.

Public Health England (PHE) said today it is investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157, which has so far affected 109 people.

As a result, it has put in place ‘heightened surveillance’ across the country.

Of the known cases, 102 people live in England, six in Wales and one in Scotland, with the south-west of England particularly affected.

Public Health England said it has ‘now identified that several of the affected individuals ate mixed salad leaves including rocket leaves prior to becoming unwell’

PHE first became aware of the possibility of an E.coli O157 outbreak in the South of England at the end of June.

Today is said it has ‘now identified several of the affected individuals ate mixed salad leaves including rocket leaves prior to becoming unwell’.

It added: ‘Currently, the source of the outbreak is not confirmed and remains under investigation.

‘PHE is now reminding people to maintain good hygiene and food preparation practices in response to the current outbreak.’

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E. coli O157 can cause a range of symptoms, including mild to bloody diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain.

It can be passed on to other people through poor hand washing and poor toilet hygiene.

Dr Isabel Oliver, director of PHE’s field epidemiology service, said: ‘We have put in place heightened surveillance for this strain of E. coli and are carefully monitoring the reporting of cases across the entire country.

Public Health England (PHE) is investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157, which has so far affected 109 people. The bug (pictured) can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain

‘To assist with this investigation to help us find the source, we have convened a national outbreak control team who will also ensure all necessary control measures are put in place.

‘Currently, the source of the outbreak is not confirmed and this remains under investigation.

‘However, our preliminary investigations have indicated several of the affected individuals ate salad items including rocket prior to becoming unwell.

‘At this stage we are not ruling out other food items as a potential source.’

PHE said people should remove any loose soil before storing vegetables.

They should also thoroughly wash all vegetables, including salads, that will be eaten raw unless they have been pre-prepared and are specifically labelled ‘ready to eat’.

People should also wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before and after handling food, and after contact with animals and pets, including farm animals.

Young children should also be supervised when they wash their hands.