E.coli UK outbreak: Symptoms to look for as 30 fall ill after cheese recalled from supermarkets

At least 30 people have fallen ill in the UK amid an E.coli outbreak, according to officials. It comes as a number of cheese products were recalled from supermarket shelves amid concerns they may be contaminated with the dangerous bacteria.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are warning the public not to eat the recalled products as they may be contaminated with a specific type of E.coli bacteria called Shiga toxin producing E. coli, also known as STEC or VTEC, a pathogen that can cause food poisoning.

On Wednesday, December 27, the UKHSA said at least 30 cases of the specific strain of STEC have so far been confirmed in the UK. Symptoms of the illness include severe diarrhoea, including bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.

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STEC infection can also lead to haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal, officials warned.

On December 24, the FSA warned that four cheeses are being recalled over the contamination fears. They are Mrs Kirkham’s Mild & Creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire and Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire.

The FSA has also now updated the list to include No 1 Waitrose Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese. A separate recall notice has also been issued on Route des Terroirs Morbier Maison Monts & Terroirs Chalet De Vevy, which is another raw cows milk cheese.

Tina Potter, Head of Incidents at the Food Standards Agency said: “We are aware that this recalled product may be popular over the festive period,