According to an update yesterday the 20th June 2024 from the  UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) ,the number of confirmed cases in the E.coli O145 outbreak(Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli often referred to as STEC) from salad leaves (lettuce) in sandwiches and wraps,  has risen to 256 cases and may rise further.

The UKHSA stated the following: 

“All currently confirmed cases had symptom onset dates before 31 May. Although the rate of cases has now slowed, we expect the figure to rise as NHS laboratories refer specimens to UKHSA for genomic sequencing which can link cases to this outbreak strain”.

“Based on information from 227 cases to date, 38% were admitted to hospital”. This means that 86 people at least were hospitalised.

As previously indicated on our website, if this outbreak occurred due to contaminated salad leaves (Lettuce) which has now been confirmed, the last outbreak from such, appears to have started in August in 2022 where there were 259 confirmed cases.

Although we are waiting for The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to publish their report into the 2022 outbreak, an Abstract from the unpublished report was shown at a conference in Barcelona on 22nd November 2023.  This outbreak was from a different strain STEC O157 but was from “consuming salad products at food service establishments”.

This indicates to us that the Food Standard Agency (FSA) appear to be failing in relation to protecting the public and consumer in relation to food poisoning from STEC’s and possibly other foodborne illnesses.  Whilst we would wish to thank the FSA for the food investigation into this current outbreak and the UKHSA Scientific staff for the detection of this strain, it clearly indicates to us that more needs to be done to prevent such outbreaks by both the FSA and UKHSA.

We also note an outbreak of E.coli O157 from salad leaves (Lettuce) in June 2016 mentioned by the UKHSA where there were over 100 confirmed cases. “Multiple analytical studies have provided evidence that consumption of mixed salad leaves, particularly from catering establishments such as cafes and restaurants”

Update from the UKHSA in the link below in relation to the current O145 outbreak. 

 https://www.gov.uk/ /news/e-coli-advice-issued-amid-rise-in-cases