Tourists travelling to the popular Hurghada region of Egypt are being warned about a potentially deadly outbreak of E. Coli.
Public Health England (PHE) said 18 travellers returning from the popular Red Sea destination this year, including children, have been infected with a strain of the disease called Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).
In rare cases the illness can lead to the potentially fatal condition Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure.
PHE said there have been 16 cases of HUS between 2009 and 2019, including one this year.
In August last year Burnley couple John and Susan Cooper died suddenly while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada.
Egyptian authorities say the couple tested positive for E. Coli and Mrs Cooper had developed HUS, although Home Office tests proved inconclusive and there have been suggestions they were also exposed to toxic chemicals.
One teenager, 19-year-old Anna Doherty, spent 11 days in intensive care at the Royal Liverpool Hospital after developing suspected HUS during a family trip to the region.
Her twin sister, Jess, told the ECHO staff at the Royal saved Anna's life .
She said: "They were so caring to Anna and always giving my mum updates. They said if we had left it a few hours later to take her to hospital, her body would have completely shut down.
"They really did save her life."
Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: "We are aware of people returning from Egypt with E. Coli infections, some with a serious kidney complication called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).
"We are gathering information about those affected to better understand the cause.
"There are simple precautions that travellers can take. These include ensuring meat is cooked thoroughly, not drinking tap water or ice made from tap water and trying to avoid swallowing water when swimming.
"Anyone suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting should ensure they keep well hydrated and seek medical advice if their symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours.
"They should also avoid preparing or serving food while they have symptoms and thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet to stop the bug being passed to others. Individuals with symptoms after returning from holiday should seek medical advice from their GP or NHS 111."
PHE said symptoms of STEC can include diarrhoea, including bloody diarrhoea, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps.
In most cases of STEC, symptoms will resolve without treatment, but but younger and older people may go on to develop complications of the infection including HUS.
E. coli is caught through ingesting contaminated food or water .
