E.coli cases in Scotland continue to spike as products recalled amid UK-wide outbreak

The number of E.coli cases in Scotland has spiked amid a major product recall across the UK.

As of June 18, there have been 56 confirmed cases of E.coli in Scotland, compared to Glasgow Live’s previous report of only 35.

New data from the UK Health Security Agency shows there have been 45 further cases of the infection, taking the total number of confirmed cases across the UK to 256.

All those who have been affected first developed symptoms before May 31.

READ MORE: Glasgow resident slams on-street bin hubs as ‘utter stupidity’ as trial runs in three areas

READ MORE: Death of Glasgow Park Inn knifeman to be probed after being called an ‘avoidable tragedy’

Symptoms of E.coli include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and the occasional fever – about half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. These symptoms can last up to 2 weeks.

The UKHSA said: “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.”

The UKHSA says is currently working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland and the devolved public health agencies to investigate the outbreak.

As a result of evidence gathered so far, several product recall notices have been published by FSA.

At the beginning of this week on Monday (June 17) THIS! recalled a chicken and bacon wrap sold only at WH Smith.

The previous week two sandwich makers that supply UK supermarkets – Greencore and Samworth Brothers Manton Wood – recalled products sold in Boots, Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, OneStop, and Amazon.

All the recall notices have been described as a “precaution”.

Head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, Darren Whitby, said: “Several sandwich manufacturers have now taken precautionary action to withdraw and recall various sandwiches, wraps, subs and rolls, as food chain and epidemiological links have enabled us to narrow down a wide range of foods consumed to a small number of salad leaves that have been used in these products.

Join Glasgow Live’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

“This remains a complex investigation and we continue to work at pace with the relevant businesses and local authorities to ensure necessary steps are being taken to protect consumers.

“Although we are confident in the source of the outbreak being linked to a small number of salad leaves, which we identified early on through extensive food chain analysis, work continues to identify the root cause of the outbreak with the growers, suppliers and manufacturers so that actions can be taken to prevent a re-occurrence.

“We will remain vigilant until the root cause of the outbreak is confirmed and we are keeping an open mind about possible causes of the outbreak.”

Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox