UK report reveals two deaths from food poisoning outbreaks

A new government report in the UK reveals serious food poisoning outbreaks over the past year. The report states that two people died and hundreds were hospitalized due to these incidents. One major outbreak was linked to E.coli found in contaminated supermarket sandwiches. This caused over 100 hospitalizations and nearly 300 reported illnesses. Experts believe the source was lettuce, which likely came into contact with water contaminated by animal feces. The strain of E.coli involved can lead to severe symptoms, including bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. Petting zoos were also a significant issue, with five E.coli outbreaks and 13 cases of cryptosporidium infections reported. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause violent diarrhea and can be contracted through contact with infected animals. One outbreak at a farm affected 400 people, leading to some children needing hospitalization. Previous incidents have shown that close contact with young animals increases infection risk, especially during family events like those around Easter. Parents are being warned to ensure proper hygiene after visiting farms. In a separate report, the Food Safety Agency (FSA) alerted about the possibility of another major E.coli outbreak this year. This warning follows a recent incident involving listeria that caused three deaths and several illnesses linked to chocolate desserts supplied to hospitals. All affected desserts have been recalled as a precaution. Overall, the reports highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures in food handling and farm visits to prevent further outbreaks.