Archive Council News

This page is a news release published by Wrexham County Borough Council.
Content Author: pressoffice@wrexham.gov.uk

06 August 2009

Update on E.coli O157 in Wrexham

Press Statement Issued by the National Public Health Service for Wales and Wrexham County Borough Council By Dr Judy Hart, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS).

"The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) and Environmental Health Officers from Wrexham County Borough Council are continuing to investigate four cases of E. coli O 157 in three families from the Wrexham area.

"Laboratory testing has now confirmed all four cases as E. coli O157 phage type 2. This suggests that they are all part of the same outbreak and their illness is linked. Further tests will now be conducted to confirm whether the samples from the four cases in Wrexham are absolutely identical.

"It is important to stress that as the investigation continues, we are examining all possible sources of the illness including foreign travel, agricultural and leisure activities, as well as food and water consumed before the beginning of illness.

"Two people are still in hospital. A 32 year old female is still seriously ill in intensive care and a 3 year old female is recovering in hospital. Two females aged 23 and 32 are recovering at home.

"No new cases have been confirmed. It is likely that the incident which caused the food poisoning occurred a few weeks ago.

"We are encouraging everyone who handles food to follow sensible food hygiene practices which can reduce the risk of food poisoning. People should ensure that raw and cooked meat is stored separately and all meat is cooked thoroughly. It is also important to wash hands with soap and water and dry them after handling raw meat.

"The investigation is ongoing. The NPHS and Wrexham County Borough Council will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

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