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The Journal
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Journal
Heatwaves are giving Irish people diarrhoea
'IRELAND IS BASKING in a heatwave,' proclaimed a headline in The Journal in June 2018. By September, Met Éireann had confirmed that the summer of 2018 was one of the hottest on record. But as the country once again experiences high temperatures this weekend, scientists have bad news for us. The hot conditions in Ireland in the summer of 2018 caused at least 169 extra cases of bacterial gastroenteritis, stomach bugs which cause vomiting and diarrhoea, a new study has found. The majority of the infections are believed to have been foodborne, although outdoor activities such as swimming and contact with farm animals are also known risk factors. These infections can be very severe in children under 5 and in older adults. Contaminated food Lead researcher Paul Hynds, of TU Dublin, explained that hotter temperatures mean more growth and greater survival of bacteria on food. The other culprit? The barbecues gathering dust in garden sheds across the country until hot weather strikes. Barbecuing and eating outdoors increases the likelihood of meats being improperly stored or cooked. 'At the end of the day, it's a bit of a perfect storm,' Hynds said. 'The Irish are not necessarily expert barbecue cooks, and [barbecuing] occurs during a time when microbial growth and survival are elevated.' Beware the barbecue dads. Alamy Alamy The study identified infection hot spots in the Dublin area, with the researchers suggesting this may have been due to increased exposure to weather-related activities, such as outdoor swimming and barbecues. Dubliners may also have lower levels of acquired immunity to these pathogens than rural residents. The researchers said other possible factors contributing to infection could include irrigation of vegetables with contaminated water, or meat processing and transportation methods that were not appropriate for heatwave conditions. Advertisement The study is important because research on the health impacts of heatwaves in temperate regions such as Ireland is still in its infancy. It demonstrates that heatwaves can increase transmission of these pathogens to humans. With an extreme summer such as 2018′s expected to occur every two out of three years in Europe in a 1.5 degree-warmer world, a rise in gastroenteritis infections can be expected in the future. The study found 101 of the extra infections were caused by the pathogen campylobacter, with men, younger adults and people living in urban areas most affected. A further 68 infections were caused by STEC, another type of bacteria, with older people and those in rural areas most affected. These are the two stomach bugs that cause the most disease globally. Scaled up to Europe as a whole, the Irish findings represent several thousand extra cases, putting significant extra pressure on healthcare systems. The research , published in the journal One Health, was based on national data on laboratory-confirmed infections. Campylobacteriosis cases (seasonally adjusted) 2011-2019, with peak during 2018 drought period highlighted. One Health One Health Human health effects of extreme weather In Ireland, disease outbreaks are often preceded by heavy rainfall, causing surface run-off of pathogens to private drinking water sources. This study shows that the incidence of infection is also influenced by periods of heatwave and drought. Scientists are currently working on more research on the human health effects of extreme weather in Ireland. These include effects on mental health and wellbeing, for a variety of reasons, including lost sleep; the effects on people with respiratory conditions such as asthma; and the effects on older people's health. Last year was the first year of global warming above the important 1.5 degree threshold. The Paris Agreement committed countries to strive to avoid 1.5-degree warming as a long-term average. The research team behind the study included scientists from the HSE, the Health Information and Quality Authority and University College Cork. The study was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. Unsure of what exactly is happening with the earth's climate? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Belfast Telegraph
03-06-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
PHA ‘working closely' with NI nursery closed following E-coli outbreak
Parents and staff at the nursery – which is in the Belfast area – have been informed and given advice on how to reduce the spread of infection. The PHA has not named the nursery. A spokesperson said: 'The Public Health Agency (PHA) is investigating and managing an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) associated with a nursery in Belfast. 'All relevant public health actions are being undertaken. As a precautionary measure the nursery has voluntarily closed to allow for testing of all children and staff and a deep clean. 'PHA is working closely with the nursery to ensure all infection control measures are in place. Parents and staff at the nursery have been informed and given advice to help reduce the risk of spreading the infection. "PHA continues to monitor the situation.' STEC symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever but most people recover within five to seven days. The PHA also issued advice for anyone who contracts the infection. 'Most people with STEC infection get better within five to seven days,' they said. "However diarrhoeal illnesses can be easily spread from person to person in nursery settings due to the close contact between children and staff, especially as young children may not be able to maintain good hand hygiene. "It is vital that everyone follows some simple rules to help prevent the spread of diarrhoeal illness – not just those with symptoms. News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June "Everyone should wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food. Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available, however soap and water is the preferred option. "People with vomiting or diarrhoea should remain at home until they have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nursery school shuts due to E. coli outbreak
A Belfast nursery school has closed for a "deep clean" following an E. coli outbreak. The Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed it was investigating and managing an outbreak of "Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)" linked to the nursery. The PHA did not name the school but said it had shut voluntarily for cleaning and to allow all staff and pupils to be tested for the infection. STEC symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever but most people recover within five to seven days. However, a small proportion of patients, mainly children, can develop a serious life-threatening condition which can lead to kidney failure. The PHA said it was "working closely with the nursery to ensure all infection control measures are in place" and was continuing to monitor the situation. It explained "diarrhoeal illnesses can be easily spread from person to person in nursery settings due to the close contact between children and staff". The outbreak was first reported by Belfast Live on Tuesday morning.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Belfast nursery school shuts due to E. coli outbreak
A Belfast nursery school has closed for a "deep clean" following an E. coli outbreak. The Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed it was investigating and managing an outbreak of "Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)" linked to the nursery. The PHA did not name the school but said it had shut voluntarily for cleaning and to allow all staff and pupils to be tested for the infection. STEC symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever but most people recover within five to seven days. However, a small proportion of patients, mainly children, can develop a serious life-threatening condition which can lead to kidney failure. The PHA said it was "working closely with the nursery to ensure all infection control measures are in place" and was continuing to monitor the situation. It explained "diarrhoeal illnesses can be easily spread from person to person in nursery settings due to the close contact between children and staff".The outbreak was first reported by Belfast Live on Tuesday morning.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Popular air fryer recalled from Wilko and The Range over 'serious risk of fire'
The Range and Wilko have pulled the kitchen product from shelves over concerns it could melt, warp or even catch fire. A popular air fryer has been recalled over serious concerns that the product could melt or warp when in use, posing a serious fire risk. Wilko and The Range have taken the product off of store shelves, and customers who have purchased the fryer are being urged to return it. The Haden air fryer was deemed by the Office for Product Safety and Standards as posing a 'serious risk of fire'. It was concluded by the safety watchdog that the kitchen gadget's maximum temperature could melt or warp the product's plastic, or could catch fire. The regulator warned: "The product presents a serious risk of fire as the heating element exceeds 150 degrees (the marked limit). After prolonged use on the highest setting, the plastic and metal parts can warp and melt, presenting a risk of fire.' It was also found that the piece of kitchen kit failed to adhere to the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. Those who have purchased the product are being urged to return it to its place of purchase for a full refund. And the popular air fryer is not the only kitchen product to be recalled recently. Last week, Kenneth Hanna's Farm Shop in Northern Ireland announced that STEC (a deadly bacteria) was potentially found to have contaminated their Jersey milk. Customers are being urged not to consume or use Ken's Raw Jersey Milk and instead, return it or dispose of it. The recall, which applied exclusively to customers based in Northern Ireland, affected all batch codes and use-by dates of the two-litre bottles of the cow milk. An alert sharing the details of the milk recall was recently posted to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which explained many of the symptoms associated with STEC organisms. These symptoms included severe diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain. In some cases, it can cause haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal. Anyone experiencing these symptoms has been advised to avoid going to school, work or nursery for up to 48 hours to avoid passing them on. STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) is a specific type of that produces Shiga toxins, which are potent biological toxins that can cause severe illness in humans. O157:H7 is the most well-known STEC strain and is often linked to foodborne outbreaks from undercooked beef, raw produce, or unpasteurised dairy. Symptoms of an STEC infection typically begin three to four days after exposure but can range from one to 10 days. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
