E coli outbreaks are a major problem. Henley is proven to have high E coli levels days before the world regatta in 2024.

E Coli outbreak One person passes away in the UK connected to salad

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that one individual in England has died as a result of the current E. coli epidemic.
According to the organization, the person died in May due to underlying health issues.

Another individual in England died within 28 days of being infected with the current strain, although according to the UKHSA, only “one of these deaths is likely linked to their STEC infection”.

The E coli incident is likely to have been triggered by some retail sandwiches using salad greens.
All of the patients recorded so far had symptoms before June 4th, and the number of cases reported is already decreasing, indicating that the epidemic may be over.

Several food producers pulled some of their items from store shelves as a precaution.

According to the Food Standards Agency, lettuce is the most likely source based on testing.

The Food Standards Agency’s Darren Whitby stated: “Earlier this month, we confirmed that several sandwich manufacturers had taken precautionary action to withdraw and recall various sandwiches, wraps, subs and rolls after food chain and epidemiological links enabled us to narrow down a wide range of foods to a type of lettuce used in sandwich products as the likely cause of the outbreak.”
He stated that investigation is ongoing to validate this so that steps may be taken to prevent a recurrence.

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

As of June 25, there have been 275 documented cases of E coli (STEC) O145 in the UK.
So far, 182 instances have been reported in England, 58 in Scotland, 31 in Wales, and 4 in Northern Ireland. The latter patients are suspected to have contracted the illness in England.

At least 122 people have been brought to the hospital for treatment since the epidemic began.
The total number of persons infected may yet climb because some patient samples have still to be examined, according to specialists, however the trend is slowing down.

What is E coli, and who is at risk?

E coli are a varied collection of bacteria that thrive in both human and animal intestines.

Some varieties are innocuous, while others can cause significant illness.

Shiga-toxin-producing E coli (STEC) O145, the strain involved in this epidemic, has the ability to damage the gut lining.

• Symptoms often appear over a few days and may include bloody diarrhea and stomach pains.
• Symptoms include fever and vomiting.

In the absence of complications, symptoms might continue up to two weeks. Most individuals recover well, but others, such as young children or those with underlying medical issues, might get quite ill.

There is no particular therapy for E coli infection.

Those infected may normally be cared for at home, and the majority will recover without medical intervention.

If someone is anxious, they should seek medical attention.

To minimize the risk of infection:

Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap—alcohol gels do not eliminate all bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Wash fruits and vegetables, and prepare food at the appropriate temperatures.
If you have symptoms, you should not prepare meals for others or visit individuals in hospitals or nursing homes.
Do not return to work, school, or daycare for 48 hours after symptoms have ceased.

Water quality monitoring by activists showed levels up to 27 times permitted limit for bathing, while rowers are warned to take measures

Water quality monitoring at the Henley Mile, part of the regatta course outside the Oxfordshire town, found mean levels of 1,213 E coli colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water across 27 samples. When E coli levels exceed 900 CFU/100ml, the water quality is considered poor according to bathing water standards and poses a concern to public health.

The highest value reported by River Action activists was 25,000 CFU/100ml, which is more than 27 times the permissible limit for bath water. The second highest value was 8,001 CFU/100 milliliters of water.

As a consequence of the tests, organisers of the Henley Royal Regatta are asking the 4,000 professional rowers to safeguard themselves from water-borne illness and infection. Rowers are urged to protect injuries and avoid ingesting splashes of river water.

As hundreds of rowers prepare to participate in Henley Royal Regatta from July 2 to 7, Sir Steve Redgrave, a former Olympic rower and chair of the Henley Royal Regatta management committee, said the findings served as a reminder of the impact of sewage pollution on UK waterways.

“Henley Royal Regatta supports the research undertaken by River Action, which highlights the essential work that needs to be done to improve the cleanliness of our waterways for all to enjoy,” Redgrave told the crowd. “Our rowers train every day all around the nation. Our waterways are critical not just to our racing competitors, but also to all of the athletes who train every day across the country.”

Thames Water, however, said that it was not to blame for the surge of germs and accused River Action of being alarmist. The corporation stated that it has conducted its own testing at two other locations in the river since May, with “reassuring” findings.

According to its laboratory testing, save from two days in May and two in June, E coli levels were constantly at levels considered safe for bathing.

The firm claimed that the spikes in E coli and intestinal enterococci during two days in May and two days in June had nothing to do with their outflows and were caused by industrial and road runoff, as well as parasites from cattle and birds.

In a heated standoff between the firm and protesters, Dave Wallace, who conducted the River Action testing in Henley, said Thames Water had collected measurements in a different region of the river.

Wallace tested with a Fluidion World Health Organization-verified E coli analyser, a portable microbiological laboratory, and the study was reviewed by the non-governmental organization Earthwatch. The device produces findings in hours, as opposed to the delays associated with static lab-based testing.

Officials in England have connected a death to an epidemic, claiming lettuce is also source of the sickness.