Latest news with #HUS
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Urgent warning issued as milk pulled from shelves due to deadly bacteria
Raw milk is unpasteurised and unfiltered, and is popular due to its creamy taste and thickness. However, unlike pasteurised milk, it hasn't been heat-treated to kill off bacteria An urgent recall notice has been issued as a popular milk brand could make people seriously ill. The Food Standards Agency issued the notice on Wednesday, and it covers milk from Kenneth Henna's Raw Jersey Milk in Northern Ireland. Raw milk is unpasteurised and unfiltered, and is popular due to its creamy taste and thickness. However, unlike pasteurised milk, it hasn't been heat-treated to kill off bacteria. According to the recall notice, the two-litre dairy product could be contaminated with Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). Consuming this bacteria can make people very sick, with symptoms including abdominal cramps, watery and/or bloody diarrhoea, a fever, and vomiting. However, some people are at risk of more severe health problems, potentially causing haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal in some cases. STEC infection is more likely to occur in vulnerable groups, such as the young and those with weakened immune systems. The recall notice affects all "Ken's Raw Jersey Milk" products, including all batch codes and use-by dates. Even though the recall is a "precautionary" notice, the Food Standards Agency has urged anyone who has bought the product not to consume it. Instead, they should dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase. The farm shop has displayed point-of-sale notices explaining the recall to customers who may have purchased the affected milk. For further information on the recall notice, you can contact Kenneth Hanna's Farm Shop on 07710203082. Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics What are recall notices? Products can be recalled for a range of different reasons including safety – if a product displays risks for the customer – or quality – when the product isn't working as it should be. The Food Standards Agency is in charge of issuing alerts when a food product has a problem. The product can either be "withdrawn," which means it is taken off the shelves, or "recalled," which means customers are asked to return it. Food products need to be recalled if they are found to have been contaminated with pathogens that could cause food poisoning or if plastic or metal has been found in them due to manufacturing faults. Food items also need to be recalled if any allergen information is missing or incorrect. The Office for Product Safety and Standards is responsible for everything else which does not fall into food, medicines, and vehicles.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Milk is urgently pulled from shelves over traces of deadly bacteria which kills one in 20
Read on to learn more about how STEC HOLY COW Milk is urgently pulled from shelves over traces of deadly bacteria which kills one in 20 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FARM shop is urgently recalling cow's milk over E. coli fears. Kenneth Hanna's Farm Shop issued the stark alert after a product containing STEC possibly contaminated the Jersey milk. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Ken's Raw Jersey Milk is being recalled following contamination fears Credit: Facebook The shop in Northern Ireland has told customers not to drink or use Ken's Raw Jersey Milk and instead to return it or dispose of it. This recall applies to customers in Northern Ireland only. The bottles are two litres, and all batch codes and all use-by codes are impacted. The Food Standards Agency's (FSA) risk statement warned of: "The possible presence of STEC in this product. "Symptoms caused by STEC organisms include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal. "If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others." A point-of-sale notice has been hung in the farm store that was selling the milk. STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) is a specific type of E. coli that produces Shiga toxins, which are potent biological toxins that can cause severe illness in humans. E. coli O157:H7 is the most well-known STEC strain and is often linked to foodborne outbreaks from undercooked beef, raw produce, or unpasteurized dairy. Symptoms of an STEC infection typically begin 3–4 days after exposure but can range from 1 to 10 days. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) occurs in 5–10 percent of STEC cases, especially in young children and the elderly. Symptoms of HUS include pale skin, fatigue, decreased urination, swelling. HUS can lead to kidney failure, and in rare cases, death. In the UK, the number of food product recalls varies year on year and are affected by consumer trends, legislative changes and tech developments. In 2023, the FSA reported a 21 percent drop in recalls from 2022. However, in 2024 the number of products marked as not fit for consumption was 2.5 higher than 2023. What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection? Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure. The NHS lists the symptoms as: Diarrhoea Stomach cramps Occasionally fever About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they' ve been infected. But symptoms can start any time between one and 14 days afterwards. These symptoms can last up to two weeks. A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include: Peeing less Tiredness Swelling Bruising This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under five years. Some people become infected but don't develop symptoms. Speak to your GP if you or your child has diarrhoea and: It's particularly frequent or severe It lasts for more than seven days A severe or continuous stomach ache Weight loss Have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea Have signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy If you or your child has bloody diarrhoea contact your GP practice and ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111. Raw milk is unpasteurised, totally unfiltered, and loved for its creamy taste and thickness. Advocates claim it's a natural superfood, packed with gut-friendly bacteria, enzymes, and nutrients supposedly destroyed by pasteurisation. Some have claimed that it helps with allergies and digestion issues, with some believing it supports the immune system. But raw milk can be a double-edged sword, as is the case here. Unlike pasteurised milk, it hasn't been heat-treated to kill off bacteria. As well as and STEC, Listeria, and Salmonella can also be found in raw cow's milk.
STV News
19-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
'Do not eat': Nuts pulled from shelves over fears of E. coli contamination
Nuts have been pulled from the shelves of some stores after E. coli was found in a batch. Grape Tree is recalling its Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts because Shiga toxin-producing E. coli has been found in a batch of the product. Symptoms caused by E. coli organisms include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome, (HUS). HUS is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal. Grape Tree has three stores in Scotland – at Loch Lomond Shores in Alexandria, Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness and The Avenue Centre in Newton Mearns. The recall notice, issued via the Food Standards Agency (FSA), affects 250g pack sizes with batch code G41 5 101 250610 and a best before date of July 11, 2026. Point of sale notices will be displayed in stores where the product is sold. Grape Tree is urging customers to check if they purchased the affected batch and not to eat the product. Instead, customers should return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. The FSA notice affects England, Scotland and Wales specifically. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Donegal teen marks nine years since lifesaving kidney transplant: 'I got a second chance thanks to my donor'
Matthew Doherty from Castlefinn, Co Donegal was just 10 years old when he received a life-saving kidney transplant from a deceased donor in 2016. At the time, he was too young to fully grasp the magnitude of it but now at the age of 19, he understands that it was a turning point that gave him a second chance at life, following sickness since infancy. Matthew was diagnosed with atypical HUS (Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome), a rare, life-threatening condition, which impacted his kidney function. Throughout his early childhood, hospital visits and treatments became routine. At age five, his kidneys could no longer function properly, and he started peritoneal dialysis at home five nights a week using a special tube called a PD catheter, which he affectionately nicknamed 'Freddie'. Matthew said this was his 'normal' and 'It was all I'd ever known.' In addition to dialysis, he also underwent plasma exchange, a procedure that replaced parts of his blood to try to control the disease. But despite the treatments, there were very dark moments. His mother Louise remembers a particularly frightening time when he was placed on life support, and doctors had to weigh difficult decisions about which of his failing organs to prioritise. Louise said at that time, the family did not know if Matthew was going to pull through. Then, in 2016, came the call that changed everything - a donor kidney had become available. The transplant was successful, and for Matthew and his family, it marked the beginning of a new life. His father Joe describes the impact as 'night and day'. Suddenly, the constant medical worry was lifted, and Matthew was able to live like other children his age for the first time in his life. Now that he's older, Matthew understands and appreciates what the transplant meant. 'I didn't realise it back then, but I do now. I got a second chance thanks to my donor.' 'It was a very difficult time for my parents with worry and having to making frequent trips from Donegal to Crumlin Hospital in Dublin while also caring for my brother Adam, who is four years younger than me,' said Matthew. Matthew's parents, Joe and Louise, wrote anonymously to the donor's family through the transplant coordinator soon after the transplant operation and again on the first anniversary. They expressed their profound gratitude for the incredible gift that changed all their lives. Today, Matthew is living life to the fullest. He plays Gaelic football with his local GAA club, Robert Emmets in Castlefinn, and is hoping to study marketing at Sligo ATU after his exams. He continues to receive the immunosuppressant drug, Ecluzimab, that controls his Atypical HUS and protects his transplanted kidney by keeping his immune system in order. Matthew is now supporting the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), in raising awareness about kidney failure and the importance of organ donation. 'Because of another family's decision for organ donation, I get to live a normal life. I'll always be grateful.' Organ Donor Awareness Week, which is organised by the Irish Kidney Association, will take place from May 10 to 17. The campaign message is 'don't leave your loved ones in doubt, share your wishes about organ donation'.
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Sarawak sees 700 to 800 new kidney failure cases annually, 4,800 now on dialysis, says SGH nephrologist
KUCHING, May 11 — Sarawak records between 700 and 800 new cases of kidney failure annually, with approximately 4,800 patients currently undergoing dialysis. This alarming figure was revealed by Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) consultant nephrologist Dr Clare Tan Hui Hong during the launch of World Kidney Day 2025 at a shopping mall here today. 'Every year, we have about 700 to 800 new patients diagnosed with kidney failure who need to start dialysis. In total, we currently have around 4,800 patients on dialysis in Sarawak,' she told reporters after officiating the launch. Dr Tan said the increasing number of kidney failure cases is concerning, emphasising the urgent need for preventive measures and greater public awareness. 'Dialysis centres are expanding. There are about 25 government-run dialysis facilities across Sarawak, with a new one set to open in Selangau Health Clinic by the end of the year. We also have around 12 charity-run centres, and more are in the pipeline,' she said. Despite the growing number of dialysis centres, Dr Tan stressed that prevention remains far more critical than treatment. 'More than just focusing on dialysis, we must address the root issue — prevention. Raising awareness about kidney health is essential to slowing down the number of people progressing to kidney failure.' She also cited national health survey data showing a worrying trend: the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Malaysia increased from 9.07 per cent in 2011 to 15.5 per cent in 2018 — rising from roughly one in 11 persons to one in six or seven. Although no new nationwide surveys have been conducted since 2018, Dr Tan expressed hope that initiatives like World Kidney Day campaigns could reverse the upward trend. This year's World Kidney Day carries the theme 'Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health', emphasising the importance of early detection and lifestyle interventions in reducing CKD cases. 'Let us work together to fight the epidemic of chronic kidney disease and to stop this epidemic,' Dr Tan urged. Also present at the event were Kelab Rotary Kuching president Charlie Ong, COR Holder of NKF Kota Samarahan Dr Nurizaidah Ishak, and NKF Kota Samarahan regional unit coordinator Nur Ezzatul Sahadah Jelani. — The Borneo Post
