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Traces of potentially harmful poo bacteria have been found on touchscreens on self-service ordering points at branches of McDonald's.

But while the bacteria, usually found in human intestines, were found in swabs taken from every screen, experts say there is nothing to worry about.

In a report for metro.co.uk samples taken at 11 branches of McDonald's in London and Birmingham found bacteria like Enterococcus faecalis on every screen.

Senior lecturer in microbiology at London Metropolitan University Dr Paul Matewele told Metro: "We were all surprised how much gut and faecal bacteria there was on the touchscreen machines.

"These cause the kind of infections that people pick up in hospitals. Every McDonald’s screen that was swabbed was found to have poo bacteria on them. For instance Enterococcus faecalis is part of the flora of gastrointestinal tracts of healthy humans and other mammals. It is notorious in hospitals for causing hospital acquired infections."

But experts say despite the findings there is nothing to worry about.

Because the bacteria are common in humans - they will be found on almost any surface that people touch.

Dr Matewele added: "These are microorganisms that you find in humans anyway."

He added: "If people know about it, they can do something. … They can probably take something like an anti-bacterial cleanser."

David Coil, a microbiologist at the University of California at Davis, told the Washington Post: "It's always something: kids' toys, doorknobs, touch screens. These are all the same objects touched by people. Of course there will be human-associated bacteria on them. Washing your hands more or less does the trick."

In a statement, McDonald's said: "Our self-order screens are cleaned frequently throughout the day with a sanitizer solution. All of our restaurants also provide facilities for customers to wash their hands before eating."