Two E. coli cases reported in Horsham amid nationwide outbreak
The District Council are urging people to be aware of the symptoms, and seek medical advice if they are displaying them
Two cases of E. Coli have been reported in Horsham - amid a nationwide outbreak.
Horsham District Council say the cases are amongst 40 identified of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection in the UK, with around 100 more suspected cases linked to the outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are continuing to investigate the source, which they believe to be food, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Horsham District Council are urging residents to be aware of STEC's symptoms, and for anyone displaying symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
A spokesperson for the Council's Environmental Health & Licensing team said:
"STEC can cause serious illness in most people, especially the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, but it is particularly dangerous in young children who are at risk of developing a life-threatening disease called ‘HUS’ – or haemolytic uraemic syndrome – which results in kidney failure.
"General symptoms of a STEC infection will be stomach cramps, fever, and diarrhoea, which can include bloody diarrhoea in around half of cases.
"Most people will make a full recovery, although these symptoms can last around two weeks if there are no complications, such as HUS.
"If your child shows any of the symptoms of HUS following gastrointestinal illness then it is critical medical attention is sought as a matter of urgency."
Anyone displaying symptoms is being urged to contact their GP, or call NHS 111.