Guidance

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: how to avoid and treat

This guidance provides the sources of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection and guidance on preventing infection.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 1 January 2014
• Last updated: 29 June 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC): symptoms, how to avoid, how to treat

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This document covers:

• symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
• how infection is acquired
• how to avoid infection
• how to treat

Published 1 January 2014

Last updated 29 June 2026 — Show all updates

1. 29 June 2026

   Updated guidance.

2. 15 July 2025

   Rebranded page to UKHSA. No change to content.

3. 20 December 2017

   Updated nomenclature from Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

4. 1 January 2014

   First published.