Latest news with #Eurosurveillance
Western Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Brain-eating parasite in salad bag as food poisoning rises
Research has highlighted potentially-deadly contamination fears, following 3,320 salad samples between October 2021 and September 2022 and found that over 4 per cent of the leaves were contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. The contamination has now been reported across 10 European countries including the UK, the study, published in the journal Eurosurveillance found. The research says: "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans. People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." This bacteria can be passed on by digesting cat faeces, which can contaminate food and water, making salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria. Other research reported this week showed that the bacteria "can seriously disrupt the brain function of intermediate hosts, potentially including humans". Research by the National Institute of Health has previously said that half of the UK population show signs of past infection by the age of 50, and once acquired, parasites remain in human tissues for life. It can then cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, which can happen during treatment for cancer or while taking immunosuppressant drugs. According to the Food Standards Agency, you should always "wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean. You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." Recommended reading: Symptoms of toxoplasmosis According to the NHS website, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause any symptoms and most people do not know they've had it. Some people may have flu-like symptoms such as: high temperature headache sore throat aching body swollen glands feeling tired feeling sick or being sick Some people may have more serious symptoms including: confusion blurred vision slurred speech unsteady walking The NHS adds that toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own. But it can cause serious problems if you: get it while you're pregnant have a weakened immune system – for example, if you have HIV or are having chemotherapy have more severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision or slurred speech If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart or lungs.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Deadly brain-eating parasite is found in ‘contaminated' salad bags sold in UK supermarkets – 7 symptoms to watch out for
HEALTH warnings have been issued over salad bags due to potentially deadly contamination fears. The popular ready-to-eat product sold across UK supermarkets has been associated with a rise in food poisoning cases. 1 Research carried out by the journal Eurosurveillance highlighted the contamination fears reported across 10 European countries, including the UK. This came after over 4% of the leaves in salad samples, tested between October 2021 and September 2022, were found to be contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans," the research said. "People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." The bacteria, which can be passed on through contact with cat faeces, has been known to contaminate food and water. This makes salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria to grow. According to research cited by Science Alert, this bacteria "can seriously disrupt the brain function of intermediate hosts, potentially including humans". The National Institute of Health previously reported that half of the UK population show signs of past infection by the age of 50. They added that once acquired, these parasites remain in human tissues for life. 'Contaminated' children's cough syrup recalled nationwide over ingredient inside that could kill – parents must act now Health risks This can cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, often a result cancer treatments or immunosuppressant drugs. The Food Standards Agency recommended the best action to take to combat this outbreak. "[Always] wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean," the experts advised. "You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." While toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own, the NHS highlighted that it can cause serious problems in certain situations. This includes if you get it while you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system . If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart, or lungs. And if you experience more severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, or slurred speech, you should also seek medical help. Positive samples across Europe Samples of the leaves were collected in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain as well as the UK. Majority of the positive samples were collected in winter and packaged in the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, and Denmark. Scientists have urged for better control measures to help protect prevent infection. "This is particularly relevant since ready-to-eat salads are intended to be consumed raw without any further treatment by the consumer," they pointed out. "Future work should investigate presence of [the parasite] in different steps of the ready-to-eat production to minimise infection risk for humans." Rise in food poisoning cases The warning follows alerts relating to a significant rise in serious food poisoning cases. The latest annual data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that Campylobacter infections increased by 17% between 2023 and 2014 - from 60,055 to 70,352. According to UKHSA, this represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade. Meanwhile, Salmonella infections also reached a decade high, according to data. They rose by with a 17% as well, from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Brain-eating parasite in salad bag as food poisoning rises
Research has highlighted potentially-deadly contamination fears, following 3,320 salad samples between October 2021 and September 2022 and found that over 4 per cent of the leaves were contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. The contamination has now been reported across 10 European countries including the UK, the study, published in the journal Eurosurveillance found. The research says: "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans. People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." This bacteria can be passed on by digesting cat faeces, which can contaminate food and water, making salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria. Other research reported this week showed that the bacteria "can seriously disrupt the brain function of intermediate hosts, potentially including humans". Research by the National Institute of Health has previously said that half of the UK population show signs of past infection by the age of 50, and once acquired, parasites remain in human tissues for life. It can then cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, which can happen during treatment for cancer or while taking immunosuppressant drugs. According to the Food Standards Agency, you should always "wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean. You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." Recommended reading: Symptoms of toxoplasmosis According to the NHS website, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause any symptoms and most people do not know they've had it. Some people may have flu-like symptoms such as: high temperature headache sore throat aching body swollen glands feeling tired feeling sick or being sick Some people may have more serious symptoms including: confusion blurred vision slurred speech unsteady walking The NHS adds that toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own. But it can cause serious problems if you: get it while you're pregnant have a weakened immune system – for example, if you have HIV or are having chemotherapy have more severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision or slurred speech If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart or lungs.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Brain-eating parasite in salad bag as food poisoning rises
Research has highlighted potentially-deadly contamination fears, following 3,320 salad samples between October 2021 and September 2022 and found that over 4 per cent of the leaves were contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. The contamination has now been reported across 10 European countries including the UK, the study, published in the journal Eurosurveillance found. The research says: "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans. People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." This bacteria can be passed on by digesting cat faeces, which can contaminate food and water, making salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria. Other research reported this week showed that the bacteria "can seriously disrupt the brain function of intermediate hosts, potentially including humans". Research by the National Institute of Health has previously said that half of the UK population show signs of past infection by the age of 50, and once acquired, parasites remain in human tissues for life. It can then cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, which can happen during treatment for cancer or while taking immunosuppressant drugs. According to the Food Standards Agency, you should always "wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean. You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." Recommended reading: According to the NHS website, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause any symptoms and most people do not know they've had it. Some people may have flu-like symptoms such as: Some people may have more serious symptoms including: The NHS adds that toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own. But it can cause serious problems if you: If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart or lungs.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Brain-eating parasite in salad bag as food poisoning rises
Research has highlighted potentially-deadly contamination fears, following 3,320 salad samples between October 2021 and September 2022 and found that over 4 per cent of the leaves were contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. The contamination has now been reported across 10 European countries including the UK, the study, published in the journal Eurosurveillance found. The research says: "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans. People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." This bacteria can be passed on by digesting cat faeces, which can contaminate food and water, making salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria. Other research reported this week showed that the bacteria "can seriously disrupt the brain function of intermediate hosts, potentially including humans". Research by the National Institute of Health has previously said that half of the UK population show signs of past infection by the age of 50, and once acquired, parasites remain in human tissues for life. It can then cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, which can happen during treatment for cancer or while taking immunosuppressant drugs. According to the Food Standards Agency, you should always "wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean. You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." Recommended reading: According to the NHS website, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause any symptoms and most people do not know they've had it. Some people may have flu-like symptoms such as: Some people may have more serious symptoms including: The NHS adds that toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own. But it can cause serious problems if you: If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart or lungs.
