STEC in Scotland: enhanced surveillance and reference laboratory data
2019 annual report
An Official Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 18 August 2020 (Latest release)
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
- Conditions and diseases
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), previously referred to as Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC), are a group of bacteria which can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans.
We undertake enhanced surveillance of E. coli O157 and other STEC in close collaboration with the Scottish E. coli O157/STEC Reference Laboratory (SERL) and NHS board health protection teams. Data is also integrated with other surveillance systems, in particular ObSurv, the system for the surveillance of all general outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease.
In addition to E. coli O157, laboratory and surveillance data is also captured on non-O157 STEC infections which account for around 40% of all STEC infections in Scotland.
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Older versions of this publication
Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.