More cases found in E. coli outbreak

There have been calls for a public inquiry into the E. coli outbreak in south Wales where the number of cases has reached 115.

Four children are being treated for acute kidney problems, which is a known complication of infection with the toxin producing 0157 strain of E. coli. Over the weekend, one four-year-old boy was airlifted to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool where others with the infection are receiving specialist treatment.

Health experts have said that number of cases could increase as tests are being carried out on relatives of the individuals who have contracted the bacterial infection.

Last week, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) widened the investigation into the outbreak of E. coli food poisoning illness in Wales. Environmental Health Officers interviewed close contacts of all the cases and the source of the infection has been linked to a Bridgend-based meat supply firm, John Tudor and Son. The firm has been instructed to stop trading and any company in receipt of cooked meat from the firm has been told to withdraw it.

Cooked meat from John Tudor and Son is already known to have been supplied to a number of schools and other council-run institutions in South Wales. The FSA has now asked all local authorities in Wales to contact any small to medium-sized caterers, local shops, delicatessens and pubs, to make sure they have not bought any cooked meat from John Tudor and Son.

Steps are being taken by the FSA to make sure that other possible customers which may have been supplied by John Tudor are identified, as the investigation to date has been unable to establish the company's full customer list.

Head teachers of the schools where pupils are known to have been infected will be contacted and advised on measures to ensure good hygiene.

(SP/KMcA)