Warning over surge in cases of deadly bacteria in UK that kills one in 10
People 'can't function' when struck down with the nasty bacteria
Summer Raemason, News Reporter
Illustration of Escherichia coli bacteria.
BRITS have been warned as a deadly bacteria that kills one in 10 sufferers has spiked in the UK.
Cases of the "worst diarrhoea ever" are rising - here are three symptoms to watch out for.
Illustration of Escherichia coli bacteria.
2
The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowelCredit: Getty
Clostridioides difficile, otherwise known as C. diff, has killed more than one in 10 cases from 2023 to 2024.
Concerned doctors are warning the death toll could continue to soar if action isn't taken.
The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowel.
Dr Kerrie Davies of the C. Diff Trust told Metro: "We cannot afford for more patients to be dying of this every year."
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She said people "can't function" when struck down with the nasty bacteria.
"Patients with it tell us how scared they are. It is the worst diarrhoea that you have ever, ever had in your life," added the expert.
From February 2024 to January 2025, the UK Health Security Agency received 19,239 reports of C. diff sufferers.
This alarming figure is the highest since 2011/12.
Huge efforts to tackle the potentially killer bug were taken in 2007, which helped reduce the rate of infections.
The most common symptoms to recognise are severe diarrhoea, high temperature and stomach ache.
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Stats revealed 2,164 patients died from C. diff from 2023 to 2024, which translates to a 12.9 per cent fatality rate.
When it reached it's peak in 2007, over 7,000 people lost their lives.
It is actually normal to have C. diff bacteria in your bowel, without experiencing any trouble.
However, problems arise when the normal balance is disrupted, and you become infected.
And, those who are diagnosed with the bug onCe, are 25 per cent more likely to catch it again.
Bizarrely, if you catch it a second time, there's a 40 per cent chance you'll get it a third time.
After this, you'll be a staggeringly 60 per cent more likely to be struck down with it again.
The risk of death increases with each infection too.
Cases have been spiking across all ages and sexes across the UK, but the worst affected group has so far been the elderly.
Dr Davies further explained how the medical profession has "taken their eye off the ball" since the Covid pandemic.
But the NHS is struggling to keep up with the costs, as each case can cost between £19,000 to £31,000 to treat.
The eye-watering sum is partly down to the quarantine precautions required, and isolation of nurses.
However, even if people do recover, they're likely to experience long-lasting systems which can continue affecting them forever.
Campaigners trying to bring figures down have been calling for the medical industry to do routine tests for C. diff in all patients who come in with diarrhoea.
They also argue antibiotics need to stop being overprescribed.
Meanwhile, Russell Hope, UKHSA Senior Scientist and Team Lead, said: "UKHSA is working alongside partners, including NHS England, to investigate recent increases in C. difficile cases in hospitals and community settings.
"It’s likely the current rise is caused by a combination of factors, including an ageing population with multiple illnesses. Work to identify the causes is ongoing and the appropriate public health action will be taken in response to our findings.
"C. difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)."
He said the "infections diarrhoea" which can "increase morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay".
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The expert warned the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
Mr Hope explained infections are best managed through "prevention and control" alongside strict monitoring.
C. diff symptoms
According to the NHS;
Symptoms of a C. diff infection
diarrhoea
a high temperature
loss of appetite
feeling sick
a stomach ache
How you get a C. diff infection
C. diff bacteria usually live harmlessly in your bowel along with lots of other types of bacteria.
But sometimes when you take antibiotics, the balance of bacteria in your bowel can change, causing an infection.
When someone has a C. diff infection, it can spread to other people very easily if the bacteria found in the person’s poo get onto objects and surfaces.
Who's at riskYou're more likely to get a C. diff infection if:
you're over 65 years
you're taking, or have recently taken, antibiotics
you're staying in hospital or a care home for a long time
you have a weakened immune system – for example, from having a long-term condition like diabetes or kidney failure, or treatment like chemotherapy
you're taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as omeprazole, or other medicines that reduce stomach acid
you've had a C. diff infection in the past
Illustration of E. coli bacteria.
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Stats revealed 2,164 patients died from c.diff from 2023 to 2024
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