Global experts to discuss E. coli challenges
Three decades after one of the world’s worst outbreaks of E. coli food poisoning, the pathogen continues to create public health challenges and concern.
The incident in Scotland, which caused the deaths of 21 people who had eaten contaminated meat from a Lanarkshire butcher, led to the transformation of food safety law in the UK.
But E. coli experts gathering in Aberdeen in May for an international conference hosted by SRUC and the University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute say they are worried about persistent strains of the pathogen such as STEC O145.
It is now one of the most common types of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (or STEC for short) which was linked to ready-to-eat food such as pre-packed sandwiches and some fresh produce in a largescale 2024 outbreak in the UK.
World-leading scientists, clinicians, regulators and food safety experts attending the VTEC 2026 will discuss the difficulties of finding the source of such outbreaks due to the speed with which they emerge and the high number of cases to be assessed. Testing the food is also an issue because it has usually been eaten or disposed of.
Professor Nicola Holden of SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences and chair of the Local Organising Committee, said: “Verocytotoxigenic or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (VTEC / STEC) continues to be a priority pathogen around the world. The triannual VTEC conference series showcases the value of bringing specialists from diverse disciplines together to jointly address challenges, identify knowledge gaps, and explore new approaches.”
Infections can result in critical illness, including kidney failure, seizures and occasionally death, with the very young and older people disproportionately affected. Survivors may develop life-long consequences such as chronic kidney disease.
Dr Sally Johnson, a consultant paediatric nephrologist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne NHS Trust, said: “There are no curative treatments for the consequences of STEC infection, only supportive therapies, and it is clear that prevention is better than cure. The VTEC conference is a unique opportunity for consolidating knowledge across multiple sectors, with a view to reducing the incidence and consequences of STEC infection globally.”
STEC infections continue to be under the spotlight worldwide due to the incredible capacity of the microorganism to change and evolve alongside the food chain and the environment.
Stefano Morabito, who leads EU reference lab on STEC, said: “The elusive nature of STEC necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, such as the One Health concept, to gain a comprehensive understanding of its biology and the sources of human infections. The VTEC conference, gathering microbiologists, epidemiologists, clinicians and expert in food chain and genomics, serves as an ideal platform to achieve this objective.”
Scotland has hosted research into this problem for more than 25 years, making significant contributions to global understanding of STEC as a health threat.
Several hundred delegates are expected at the event, from Sunday 10 May to Wednesday 13 May at P&J Live, which is being supported by CPD and Event Services from the University of Aberdeen.
Registration closes on 1 May.
This event ties in with SRUC’s strategy 2026-2031 to shape the natural economy and influence the approach to natural capital, food security, blue/green economy, supply chains, diet and health.
Further information is available at: www.vtec2026.org
Posted by SRUC on 23/03/2026
