The Express
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.
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.
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.
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.
