Food companies in E.coli inquiry

Complications from e.coli poisoning can be serious

Firms supplying food to the 12 south Wales schools hit by an E.coli outbreak are being examined as part of the public health inquiry into the disease.

Seven children are being treated in hospital and the number of confirmed cases has risen to 23.

The schools involved, in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, are opening on Tuesday as usual.

However, parents have been told that children with a stomach upset should be kept home as a precaution.

A helpline has been set up with five lines, on 029 2040 2520, open from 0900 to 2100 BST every day until Friday.

The two local authorities have said they are on top of the situation and that schools would remain open.

The advice to parents, aimed at helping contain the outbreak, was in a letter to the homes of pupils at the affected schools.

SCHOOLS AFFECTED Primary: Abertaf; Blaengwawr; Bedlinog; Pengeulan; Cwmdare; Troedyrhiw; Rhigos; Glenboi Infant: Cwmbach; Penygraig Secondary: Pen y Dre; St John the Baptist;

The National Public Health Service for Wales initially said at the weekend that seven cases had been identified in the past few days. That rose to 22 on Monday, and another one was confirmed on Monday afternoon.

The health service said there were usually only 30 cases of e.coli food poisoning a year in Wales.

Consultant epidemiologist Dr Roland Salmon told BBC Radio Wales the investigation was now in a "behind the scenes stage".

"We are talking about a number of days before we can arrive at some definite conclusions," he said.

Dr Salmon confirmed that all the children involved had been in the "school catering system".

He added: "We will work back up through the food chain - that is an important element of any investigation.

"If that requires looking at wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, those steps will be set in motion."

Severe stomach pains

The condition is described as a serious form of food poisoning.

Hugh Pennington, president of the Society of General Microbiology said: "The initial signs are very severe stomach pains, diarrhoea, sometimes with blood in the stools.

"The complications arise later when the kidneys go on the blink.

"It's not that common and most kids will come through, but sometimes they will need special treatment."

Today is a process of reassuring parents and pupils and working closely with environmental health and moving forward from here Bedlinog Primary head Tony Soanes

The schools affected first noticed signs of children becoming unwell at the end of last week.

Tony Soanes, head of Bedlinog Primary School said: "At first it was just diarrhoea then one or two children went home and it just progressed from there.

"Today is a process of reassuring parents and pupils and working closely with environmental health and moving forward from here."

Mr Soanes he had been advised that children should still go to school, and if parents were still concerned they could contact the helpline.

Sources of e.coli include handling raw meat, eating undercooked meat, consuming untreated milk or dairy products, direct contact with animals, or close contact with another infected person.

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