Media Release
E-coli update
16.40 hrs September 30, 2005
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.
Of the new cases being reported in recent days, most have acquired the infection in the community.
There is one new school to report where exposure to the source, before control measures were put in place, has apparently resulted in infection:
- Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, Rhondda Cynon Taf
There are a total of 38 schools where exposure to the source has apparently resulted in infection. The Outbreak Control Team is confident that cases in the schools caught the infection before control measures were put in place.
Investigation:
The investigations continue well both in the laboratories and with the gathering of statistical evidence.
The investigations are wide-ranging and painstaking and it will take time to build up an overall picture to support the link with cooked meats.
We are running tests on thousands of samples. We do not publish the results of individual tests. They are of no pertinence in the context of the investigation.
Control measures:
Control measures remain in place.
Communications:
The Help Line has been available since the beginning of the outbreak and has received more than 800 calls since Monday 19th September. However, in the last few days, the number of calls has fallen off substantially to only a handful of calls each day.
On this basis, the Outbreak Control Team has agreed to close the helpline at 5pm today (Friday 30th September). Parents are being informed of this directly by letter. Advice is still available. People with any concerns regarding their health are advised to contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
NHS Direct has been briefed on a regular basis since the beginning of the outbreak.
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 at the National Public Health Service of Wales on 07866 634077 or Steph McNicholas at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on 01443 494702
Please note: Your weekend contact for media queries is Chris Lines on 07866 634077