Slight rise in salmonella cases

S. typhimurium - one of the 2,500 types of Salmonella

A salmonella outbreak in County Durham is still being investigated although it appears to be slowing down.

On Wednesday, there were 99 confirmed cases, a rise of only five from Friday afternoon. There are also two suspected cases.

Public health and environmental health officials are continuing to investigate cases in the Derwentside area.

Salmonella infections cause a range of symptoms including diarrhoea, headache, nausea and fever.

Public health and environmental health officials from Derwentside District Council, Derwentside Primary Care Trust and the Health Protection Agency are continuing to investigate the outbreak.

Investigations are ongoing into the possible source of the outbreak but the Outbreak Control Team's findings continue to support a possible link with Robson's Fresh Foods, in Stanley.

It said Robson's Fresh Foods is continuing to co-operate fully with Derwentside District Council and has been closed since 29 July, when the council served an emergency prohibition order.