UKHSA warns of serious E. coli infections and risk of kidney failure in children
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an alert about dangerous strains of E. coli that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and, in rare cases, life-threatening kidney damage in young children.
The UK Health Security Agency released a public health alert emphasizing that certain strains of Escherichia coli, especially Shiga toxin-producing variants like O157, can cause severe gastrointestinal disease. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and bloody diarrhoea, with a small risk of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) that can lead to kidney failure, particularly in children under five. UKHSA recommends staying hydrated, resting, and avoiding fatty or spicy foods, while cautioning against anti-diarrhoeal drugs for children under 12 and aspirin for those under 16.
It urges immediate GP contact for any child with bloody stools. Preventive steps include thorough hand-washing, surface cleaning, staying away from work or school while ill, and refraining from swimming for at least 48 hours after recovery.
Why it matters
Understanding the risks and care steps for severe E. coli infections helps protect vulnerable children and prevents wider community spread.
In this story
