2005 South Wales E. Coli O157 Outbreak

2005 South Wales E. Coli O157 Outbreak

An outbreak of the Escherichia coli O157 bacterium occurred in South Wales in 2005. It was the largest outbreak of E. coli O157 in Wales and the second largest in the UK. 157 cases were identified in the outbreak; 31 people were hospitalized, and one child, 5-year old Mason Jones died. Most of the 157 cases identified were children, attending 44 different schools across four different local authorities – Bridgend, Methry Tydfil, Caerphily and Rhondda Cynon Taf. Of those infected, 109 cases were identified as a strain of E. coli O157 unique to this outbreak.

The first cases were identified on 16 September 2005, after 5 children had been admitted to a hospital in Methry Tydfil. The earliest sign of illness had been the 10th September. Most cases had originated before the end of September, though the last case of the outbreak was identified on 8 November 2005.

For many of those affected, the illness progressed with a typical process of vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, sometimes leading to renal failure. Afterwards, some of those affected spoke of long-lasting physical and psychological effects.

The cause was a vacuum packing machine used to package both raw meat and cooked meat without being properly cleaned between batches resulting in cross contamination.