E. coli outbreak hits south east Wales Published duration 12 August 2011

Five cases of E. coli have been confirmed in an outbreak in south east Wales which has left one person in hospital.

Two further cases are also being looked into.

Public health officers and environmental health teams from Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Vale of Glamorgan are investigating.

Cardiff council closed Adonis Kebab House on City Road as a precaution while investigations were carried out.

Health officials warned that further cases were likely.

Dr Gwen Lowe, consultant in communicable disease control at Public Health Wales, said: "Public Health Wales was notified yesterday [Thursday] of five cases of E. coli 0157, one of whom has been hospitalised and is recovering.

"Two further cases are under investigation.

"Investigations are ongoing. Public Health Wales and the councils involved will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Abdominal pain

Dr Lowe said letters had been sent to GPs and out-of-hours services across south east Wales to alert them to the situation, and that more cases were expected to be found.

E. coli is a serious bacterial infection that causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

People can become infected by eating contaminated food, through contact with farm animals or through contact with contaminated water.

The infection can also pass from person to person and, while the length of the illness can vary, people are usually ill for up to two weeks.