Egypt: The extent of food poisoning in the country REVEALED & how you can fight infection

EGYPT has become a holiday destination notoriously linked with food poisoning. As the deaths of John and Susan Cooper are revealed to have been due to E.coli by the Egyptian general prosecutor, what other incidents of food poisoning have occurred in Egypt this year?

What is E.Coli? What can you do to protect yourself and others?

Egypt has long been a country popular with British tourists and, despite a spate of terror attacks and tragic accidents, the United Nations have revealed it to be the fastest growing tourist destination in the world.

Unfortunately, the country's reputation has again been damaged after two Britons died at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. Today, the deaths of John and Susan Cooper were revealed to be caused be e.coli, a bacteria which can cause food poisoning symptoms. 

The deaths are the latest in a string of food poisoning disasters to have struck tourists visiting Egypt. These are just a few examples of the shocking cases to have reached the headlines this year - and how you can try to avoid food poisoning while away.

January 2018

Elizabeth Austin, 29, fell violently ill on a trip to Egypt where she stayed at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel with Thomas Cook, just like the Coopers.

Egypt: The extent of e.coli food poisoning REVEALED - and how you can fight infection

She claimed she was left bed-bound for a week at the hotel - and had to dash to the toilet up to 30 times a day.

She as later paid £1,100 compensation by Thomas Cook, although a rep at the Red Sea venue accused her of “being English and faking it for compensation".

Also in January, 31 passengers on a Nile cruise were struck down by food poisoning in Luxor, Egypt and had to be hospitalised. An investigation was opened into the incident and the floating hotel was shut down.

July 2018

Luay Mohammed, 7, spent over three weeks in intensive care after contracting salmonella, which led to sepsis and a stroke while on holiday in Egypt at the Tia Heights Hotel in Hurghada.

The five-star resort is just 15 miles from the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel and was booked through online travel company Purple Travel – which scores a five-star rating on TrustPilot.

His mother, Fathia has said that the family avoided meat dishes at the hotel’s buffet during their stay.

However just days into the trip they were all struck down with diarrhoea, with Fathia’s daughter bed-bound due to vomiting.

Egypt e.coli food poisoning news

Egypt: The extent of e.coli food poisoning REVEALED - and how you can fight infection (Image: Getty Images)

August 2018

John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, Lancashire, died in Hurghada on 21 August, during a stay at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel. 

In an official statement, the Egyptian general prosecutor said post-mortem examinations showed E. coli bacteria was the cause of the death.

Last week, tests on the food and hygiene standards at the hotel identified a high level of e.coli and staphylococcus bacteria, Thomas Cook said.

No British police or government representatives had been granted access to the room where the holidaymakers died, since tragedy struck at the Steigenberger hotel.

Alison Cope, 44, and seven members of her family became ill during a stay at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel, at the same time of the Coopers’ deaths.

All the group suffered from diarrhoea and sickness, while Alison’s sister had worse symptoms of headaches and being unable to breathe, Alison said.

Three people were so ill they lost control of their bowels in the swimming pool and pooed in it. Alison claims that the hotel responded by pouring chemicals in rather than draining the pool.

She told the Daily Star: “The food is just disgusting, it's undercooked. I know so many people have been ill. Half the time we don't know what it is and can't eat it because it's raw in the middle.

Egypt food poisoning Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel

Egypt: Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel where numerous guests have fallen ill from food poisoning (Image: Getty Images)

Egypt John Susan Cooper

Egypt: John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, Lancashire, died in Hurghada on 21 August (Image: Getty Images)

Egypt: Tourists return to UK after couple's death and 'dozens fall ill'

How does food poisoning happen?

Food poisoning happens when you eat something that has been contaminated with germs - you may be surprised to know that any type of food can cause food poisoning.

One way this can take place is when it is left out for too long which can particularly be an issue when it comes to hotel buffets. 

A spokesman for the World Health Organisation (WHO) told Express.co.uk: “Hotel buffets are always sensitive settings from a food safety point of view. Different foods with different food safety risks are sometimes mixed or served together. The food left out for a long time and a large number of customers may eat the same food. So if there is a problem, there is a risk for a large-scale outbreak.”

Symptoms of food poisoning include feeling sick, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, a high temperature of 38C or above and generally feeling unwell, according to the NHS.

How can you avoid food poisoning?

Make sure your food has been thoroughly cooked and is still hot or chilled when served,” an ABTA spokesman told Express.co.uk.

“Avoid any uncooked food, apart from fruits and vegetables. Also, try not to mix up different food types by piling everything on one plate, remember you can always go back for another course.

Keep an eye out for signs of poor hygiene, the WHO recommends, such as the presence of pests and flies or uncleaned surfaces. Consider whether the food is handled manually of whether there are enough utensils to handle the food without contaminating it.

“Always wash your hands before eating,” advises Marc Jordan Group Head of Health and Safety at Thomas Cook Group, “and watch out for other customers mixing up utensils at the buffet as cross-contamination between food items can lead to illness.”

However, it might not always be food poisoning you’re suffering from. “Bear in mind that a lot of stomach upsets on holiday are caused by overconsumption rather than food poisoning, so eat and drink in moderation,” ABTA points out.

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