Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
13 June 2012 12:43
An outbreak of E. coli is believed to be the cause of 14 illnesses in the USA
Those with ongoing medical conditions are advised to take out pre-existing medical travel insurance before travelling to certain areas of the USA, after an outbreak of E. coli bacteria in the country.
The bacteria was found to have links to 14 illnesses in six states in April and May and three people were taken to hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There were six cases in Georgia, four in Louisiana, two in Alabama and one each in Tennessee, Florida and California, but no type of contaminated food or other reasons for the illnesses have yet been found.
Most kinds of E. coli are harmless, but it is a large family of bacteria and the E. coli O157:H7 strain is thought to be the most dangerous, especially after a large outbreak of the strain in hamburger meat around 20 years ago.
The E. coli O145 strain associated with this latest outbreak is one of six other similar types that are thought to be dangerous.
Stacey Bosch, leader of the investigation into the outbreak for the CDC, said: "These are not newly emerging bacteria. Our awareness of them has been improving."
This strain of E. coli often leaves people sick between two and eight days after taking it in, and is a bigger threat to very young and very old people or those with weak immune systems. Experts believe that these age groups have a greater chance of their blood being poisoned by toxins created by the E. coli which can lead to kidney failure.
02 October 2019
Enjoy National Pizza Month and grab a slice of history with the true story of everyone's favourite Italian flat-bread...
[more...]
Autumn is here. And while the weather outside starts to turn, you may be asking where to find October sun? Here are some of our top short-haul destinations...
19 September 2019
How do I protect my home while I'm away? Your question answered and more with our top tips for locking up your home while you're on holiday...
18 September 2019
Searching for the best things to do in Munich? Explore our top tips for things to do in the Bavarian capital...
Tummy rumbling? Discover the best Bavarian foods you can eat at Oktoberfest with our guide to some of the dishes you must try...
Who invented rugby? Ahead of the greatest rugby competition in the world, we take a look at how the game spread around the globe...
09 September 2019
What's the best place for a city break this September? Here are some of our favourite weekend destinations for a European getaway.
What's the best island to visit in Europe? Take a look at some of our top tips off the beaten track and find your very own island paradise...
02 September 2019
If you're visiting the Land of the Rising Sun for the rugby, here's everything you need to know about the World Cup's host cities...
Not ready to wave goodbye to summer? Discover our top European destinations for last-minute summer sun...
Already stressing about that 8-hour flight? Make your journey more comfortable with our top tips for flying long-haul.
Heading on holiday to Japan? Get the most out of your trip to Tokyo with these must-see places in the Japanese capital.