Media Release
Ref: PR 105
Date: 7 October 2005
Immediate Release
Ecoli update, 16.00 hours, Friday 7th October
Update by the Outbreak Control Team (Officers of the Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and Bridgend Local Authorities, the Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Health Board, the Food Standards Agency and the National Public Health Service of Wales)
New cases
At 10.00 hours today, 156 cases compatible with E coli O157 infection have been identified.
It is still clear that the majority fell ill before control measures were in place (A graph is available on request showing when cases first developed symptoms).
There are a total of 42 schools where exposure to the source has apparently resulted in infection. The Outbreak Control Team is confident that the cases in the schools caught the infection before control measures were put in place.
Glenboi School
Glenboi School has been given the enhanced cleaning and disinfection that is given to all schools where someone with symptoms compatible with E coli have been identified.
Parents of pupils at the school are being invited to an open session at the school this evening (Friday 7th October) between 7pm and 9pm.
This will help the Outbreak Control Team’s investigations. The Team will be able to arrange for samples from the children at the school.
It will also be an opportunity for parents to ask questions, raise concerns and receive advice on a one-to-one basis.
There will be a further open session tomorrow at the school between 10am and midday for those parents unable to attend this evening.
The open sessions will be private and the media will not be able to attend.
Teachers will be at the school on Monday 10th October as normal. Pupils will be able to return as their tests show they are clear. It is likely that the first pupils to return will do so early next week.
Control measures
The Outbreak Control Team met this morning and re-affirmed its decision to keep all other affected schools open. This is because, with the control measures in place, the school environment is safe. The Team is confident that no one has caught the infection from another person in a school.
Other control measures also remain in place.
New cases are secondary – where someone has caught the infection from someone else – usually a member of the same family. Thorough hand washing before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet; and daily disinfectant of toilets are important ways of stopping the spread of infection.
Communications
The Help Line number is 02920 402520. It is open 9am – 5pm, including through the weekend.
A further letter updating parents on the outbreak is being sent.
The Outbreak Control Team consists of the following organisations:
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, National Public Health Service for Wales, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Health Board, Bridgend County Borough Council, Food Standards Agency, Caerphilly County Borough Council.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Chris Lines on 07866 634077