Urgent warning to parents over mysterious E. coli outbreak that has killed one Brit and hospitalised six – as health chiefs say it is predominantly striking kids

One Brit has died in a mysterious E. coli outbreak predominantly striking children, MailOnline understands.

Another six have been hospitalised by an exceptionally rare strain of the diarrhoea-causing bug. 

Health officials are scrambling to find the source of the outbreak, which is thought to have emerged towards the end of May. Investigations are ongoing.

Sickened people reported consuming grated hard cheese. Others mentioned eating strawberries, cucumbers, peppers and watermelon. But that does not mean they are responsible for the cluster of cases.

A family adventure farm park in Surrey which was forced to close a fortnight ago due to an E. coli outbreak that sickened three children has been ruled out, however. 

Symptoms vary from mild to bloody diarrhoea, the UKHSA says. Vomiting, fever and stomach cramps are other tell-tale signs. But, in severe cases, the bug can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious and life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure

Hobbledown, near Epsom in Surrey, has been shut since Thursday (July 27) while investigations take place following the children’s visit to the attraction at the start of the school holidays

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chiefs did not reveal the age of the patient who died, or any of the six hospitalised.

The body, tasked with thwarting any infectious disease threats, said that the ages of the affected patients range from ‘under-one to 74’.

But the UKHSA, which is working alongside the Food Standards Agency (FSA), added that the ‘majority’ of cases are in kids. 

Amy Douglas, UKHSA incident director, said: ‘The outbreak’s source has not yet been identified.

‘But we are working with partners to investigate.

‘Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water and ensuring to help young children with handwashing is the best way to stop the bug spreading. 

‘Children under five shouldn’t attend school/nursery/group childcare until they have been free of sickness or diarrhoea for two days. 

‘Visits to hospitals or care home settings should be avoided if you are feeling unwell.’

Britain’s ongoing outbreak is caused by shiga toxin-producing E coli O183 — a strain that causes gastroenteritis.

Symptoms vary from mild to bloody diarrhoea, the UKHSA says. Vomiting, fever and stomach cramps are other tell-tale signs.

But, in severe cases, the bug can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious and life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure. 

The strain is very rare in the UK and globally. Before the current cluster, only 15 cases had been reported in Britain since 2016. 

Of the 24 cases spotted in recent weeks, 19 were in England. Scotland and Northern Ireland both logged two, with one in Wales.

The UKHSA did not reveal whether the patient who died did so because of — or with — the infection.

Officials are now reminding Brits to contact NHS 111 if they or their kids have bloody diarrhoea.

Most of those sickened with the bug will get better without NHS care within a week. They are advised to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

STEC, or shiga toxin-producing E. coli, is spread by eating contaminated foods, such as raw leafy vegetables or undercooked meat.

The very infectious bacteria can also be spread by touching infected animals or their faeces and coming into contact with other people who are sick.

Cattle are the biggest reservoir of the most common type of STEC seen in the UK — a strain known as 0157. 

But the bug has also been found in deer, rabbits, horses, pigs and wild birds.

Large outbreaks have been linked with foodborne transmission, the UKHSA says.

Rajwinder Ubhi, head of incidents at the FSA, said: ‘The FSA is working with the UKHSA and other partners in response to recent reports of 0183 E. coli STEC reported across the UK.

‘However, the source of the outbreak has not yet been confirmed.

‘Whilst multi-agency investigations continue, it’s important to follow our usual food hygiene advice to limit the spread of STEC, to help avoid cross-contamination and risk of illness including thoroughly cooking meat and meat products like burgers and sausages, and washing fruit and vegetables before eating them.’