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Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 linked with consumption of a fast-food product containing imported cucumbers, United Kingdom, August 2020.
- Source :
-
International Journal of Infectious Diseases . 2021 Supplement 1, Vol. 110, pS62-S68. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
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Abstract
- • In August 2020, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 occurred in the United Kingdom. • Whole genome sequencing revealed that 36 cases formed a genetically distinct cluster. • Epidemiological evidence suggested a fast-food product was a likely cause of this outbreak. In August 2020, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 occurred in the United Kingdom. Whole genome sequencing revealed that these cases formed a genetically distinct cluster. Hypotheses generated from case interviews were tested in analytical studies, and results informed environmental sampling and food chain analysis. A case–case study used non-outbreak 'comparison' STEC cases; a case–control study used a market research panel to recruit controls. A total of 36 cases were identified; all cases reported symptom onset between August 3 and August 16, 2020. The majority of cases (83%) resided in the Midlands region of England and in Wales. A high proportion of cases reported eating out, with one fast-food restaurant chain mentioned by 64% (n = 23) of cases. Both the case–case study (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 31.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–624.9) and the case–control study (aOR 9.19, 95% CI 1.0–82.8) revealed statistically significant results, showing that the consumption of a specific fast-food product was independently associated with infection. Consumption of a specific fast-food product was a likely cause of this outbreak. The only ingredient specific to the product was cucumbers. The supply of cucumbers was immediately halted, and no further cases have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 12019712
- Volume :
- 110
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 153417235
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.001