E.coli inquiry seeks public's aid

Prof Pennington promised inquiry would leave "no stone unturned"

The man chairing the public inquiry into a fatal outbreak of E.coli in south Wales is calling on the public to supply information to investigators.

More than 150 people, mostly children, were struck by the 0157 strain of the bug and a five-year-old boy died.

Professor Hugh Pennington, leading the assembly government inquiry, said those affected might have important details.

Public health officials found the initial source of the E-coli food poisoning to be school dinners.

The E.coli outbreak between September and December 2005 was the biggest in Wales.

Cases were reported at 42 south Wales valleys schools. Additional cases were spread by person-to-person contact.

South Wales Police have launched an investigation after the death of Mason Jones, of Deri, near Bargoed.

Prof Pennington, emeritus professor of medical microbiology at Aberdeen University, led the inquiry into the 1996 Lanarkshire outbreak, in which 17 people died from the 0157 strain of E.coli after eating contaminated meat from a butcher's shop.

A number of families affected by the south Wales outbreak have formed a support group.

Provisional timetable

Prof Pennington said: "We know of many people and organisations that were affected by the outbreak or involved in it, and we are in the process of contacting them for information.

"However, there may well be others who have relevant information on the outbreak or the way it was handled.

Mason Jones, five, died after contracting the E.coli infection

"As I've said before, I am committed to involving the public in the inquiry and this is one way in which it can reach out to people.

"This way, anyone who feels that they have any information that could help the inquiry in its work has an opportunity to come forward."

In March, Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbon said a provisional timetable for the inquiry would be published "in due course".

He said: "Arrangements are currently being considered for parents to have the opportunity to meet Professor Pennington as another opportunity to update them on progress and to explain the inquiry process in more detail."

Prohibition order

In January, a review carried out by acting chief medical officer for Wales, Dr David Salter, concluded the outbreak had been well-managed by public health officials. He made 22 recommendations to reduce the risk of a recurrence.

A Bridgend-based meat firm with contracts to supply schools and old people's homes in four local authority areas in south Wales was closed in September after Bridgend Council issued an emergency prohibition order.

The court order was lifted in December, and the firm, John Tudor and Son of Bridgend, was allowed to resume trading following a fresh inspection.