PA MediaAt least 128 people have been admitted to hospital due to the E. coli outbreak linked to a type of lettuce, though cases are slowing, health officials have said.
There have been 288 confirmed cases in the UK, including 13 new cases, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
But it stressed that cases “continue to decline”.
Based on information from 263 cases to date, 49% were admitted to hospital, the UKHSA said.
One person’s death is “likely” linked to their shiga toxin-producing E.coli (Stec) infection, officials announced last week.
A number of food manufacturers have recalled sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in major supermarkets and retail chains over fears they are linked to the outbreak.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said lettuce used in the products is thought to be the likely source of the outbreak.
Amy Douglas, incident director at UKHSA, said: “It’s encouraging that reported cases are continuing to decline, however we still expect to see a few more cases linked to this outbreak as further samples are referred to us for testing.”
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the FSA, added: “The food chain investigation into this outbreak will continue to take account of any new information as it becomes available.
“We will continue to work with the relevant businesses, local authorities and agencies involved to ensure the necessary steps are in place to protect consumers.”
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