In June and July, 2015, 15 people were sickened with E. coli O157 from Robinson’s Butchers and Caterers in Billingham, UK.

Yesterday, Rachael Donaldson, the mum of 12-year-old Tia Donaldson who suffered kidney failure, said Tia, then 11, was left in a critical condition having suffered kidney failure, a series of mini strokes and a dangerously inflamed bowel.

According to a report by Public Health England’s (PHE) outbreak control team (OCT), the outbreak of E.coli O157 was most likely caused by cross-contamination from raw meat to ready–to-eat food at Robinson’s butchers.

Of the 15 people affected, ten needed hospital treatment of which seven went on to develop hemolytic uremic syndrome.

All have since recovered or are recovering.

Following the release of the report by PHE, Rachael hopes that lessons will be learned to prevent a similar outbreak in the future, adding, “I’m glad that they have been able to find the source and I just hope that we can prevent it happening again. My little girl is still not very well. She’s still not back to where she was before. We’ve been at the RVI regularly. She’s in pain every day. She’s still under the consultants and will be for a long time. We could have easily lost her.”

Dr Deb Wilson, chair of the outbreak control team and consultant in health protection at PHE North East said: “The conclusion of the OCT is that the 15 people were infected with E. coli O157 after eating food bought from Robinson’s butchers in Wingate and Billingham, or supplied by Robinson’s Billingham shop to Northfield School or bought from another butcher who was supplied with meat from Robinson’s Wingate shop.

“It is highly likely that there was cross-contamination from raw meat to ready–to-eat food within the Billingham branch of Robinson’s and to a lesser degree at the Wingate branch.

“The outbreak caused serious illness in many of the people affected and required prompt investigation and introduction of extensive control measures within both premises.

“Durham County Council and Stockton Council are considering whether to take any formal enforcement or legal action relating to the outbreak.”