PEOPLE in Gloucestershire are being warned to take extra food safety precautions after an outbreak of E.coli.

There have been numerous cases of the infection in the region and invetigations have found many of the people affected ate a salad shortly before becoming ill.

No individual supplier has been identified as the source of E.coli 0157 infection, Public Health England (PHE) said.

Officers are now working closely with Environmental Health Officers and the public health teams at Bath and North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Council and Gloucestershire County Council to investigate the cause.

Mike Wade, director of health protection for Public Health England South West, said: “E.coli O157 infection can cause a range of symptoms, from mild diarrhoea to bloody diarrhoea with severe abdominal pain and, on rare occasions, it can also cause more serious medical conditions.

“E.coli O157 can be caught by eating contaminated food or by contact with infected animals.

"It can also be passed from an infected individual to another person if hand and toilet hygiene is poor.

“We continue to stress the importance of good hand and food hygiene practices at all times.

"It is vital to wash hands thoroughly using soap and water after using the toilet, before and after handling food and after contact with any animal and pets, including farm animals. Small children should also be supervised when washing their hands.

“We also urge people to remove any loose soil before storing vegetables and thoroughly wash all vegetables, fruit and salad items that will be eaten raw.”

Those affected by the outbreak have been supported by health care professionals and their household and close contacts have been given information on infection control and signs and symptoms associated with the infection. No children have been affected to date.

Dr Mark Pietroni, director of public health for South Gloucestershire, said: “Colleagues in all the affected Local Authorities are working with Public Health England and national experts to discover the reason for this outbreak so that we can take the necessary steps to control it as quickly as possible.”