E.coli 0157 is an infection that can prove fatal especially for children younger than 10 or older people. Those that survive this infection will very often have serious ongoing medical conditions – impaired kidney function, kidney failure and need dialysis.

Children are particularly at risk as their immune system isn’t fully developed. They’re also much more likely to put fingers or toys in mouths, or not wash hands properly. Even family vehicles need to be kept clean if they do near manure, slurry, dung or sewage.

It appears to be much more prevalent than in the past and can be avoided by excellent hygiene.

With easter coming up, if you have plans to visit farms, the countryside, zoo or other leisure facility with animals then do use the following advice:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2003/06/17334/22401

Equally if you’re planning to rent a holiday cottage that has private drinking water supplies then check it has no livestock within 50m as this infection has been found in springs or boreholes especially on farmland.