Health authorities in Great Britain have been working to investigate an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O145 identified through the analysis of WGS data in May 2024. A potential outbreak was first identified in England on 22 May 2024 through UKHSA’s routine surveillance, with a rapid ten-fold increase in fecal samples from patients testing positive. On 24 May, reference laboratory PCR test results indicated a strain of STEC likely drove the increase. Concurrent increases in similar surveillance indicators were reported in Wales and Scotland. A national incident was declared on 24 May. WGS analysis from 28 May showed that most of these probable cases had an illness caused by STEC serotype O145. Between 25 May and 24 June, 275 confirmed cases were reported (273 primary cases and 2 secondary cases). The cases of England (182), Scotland (58), Wales (31), and Northern Ireland (4) have no notable geographic clustering. There have been 2 reported deaths in patients. Sandwiches containing lettuce were the likely main cause of the outbreak. On June 14-16 voluntary withdrawal and recall of all potentially associated ready to eat products (sandwiches, wraps and salads) occurred. As of 24 June, newly reported confirmed cases have now markedly declined. @ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shiga-toxin-producing-e-coli-outbreak-o145-may-to-june-2024/investigation-into-an-outbreak-of-shiga-toxin-producing-e-coli-stec-o145-in-great-britain-may-to-june-2024
