Pembrokeshire County Council's Public Protection Department and the NPHS is continuing to investigate further probable and possible cases of E. coli O157 in people who attended the Dance Camp Wales event in Cresselly, between July 29 and August 9.

Two people, a nine-year-old female from Denbighshire and a 43-year-old female from Essex, were being treated as probable cases of E. coli O157 and test results were awaited, the NPHS confirmed in a statement last Thursday.

Tests have also been carried out on a further 11 people who attended the camp and have reported symptoms that may be consistent with E. coli O157 but could also be caused by other infections. 

No further patients have been hospitalised.

Further testing on the 11-year-old female from the West Midlands and the seven-year-old female from Denbighshire who were confirmed with E. coli O157 last week show that they have the same strain of the disease.

Pembrokeshire County Council has already made more than 200 'phone calls and sent almost 300 emails to people known to have attended the camp, and is continuing to contact attendees.

Anyone who attended the event and is experiencing symptoms that may be associated with E. coli O157 infection should contact their GP or Out of Hours Service for medical advice as a matter of urgency.

People who experience symptoms should also contact Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection department on 01437 764551 between 8 am and 6 pm on weekdays, 9 am and 12 pm Saturday or email [email protected]">[email protected]  

E. coli O157 is a serious bacterial infection that causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The symptoms of E. coli O157 range from mild diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever to bloody diarrhoea. Most people recover without complications, but the most severe cases can develop kidney failure. 

Dr. Jörg Hoffmann, consultant in communicable disease control for the NPHS, said: "People can become infected with E. coli O157 by direct or indirect contact with animal faeces, particularly on farms and sites used for camping, and swimming in or drinking unchlorinated water. The illness can also be associated with contact with an infected person or from eating contaminated food.

"We are therefore urging anyone who attended the event who is now having, or has recovered from, symptoms associated with E. coli  infection to observe strict personal hygiene to prevent further spread of the illness within the family. 

"People should wash and dry their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food. Parents of small children should supervise young children whilst washing their hands. Disinfecting all areas of the bathroom regularly, including hard surfaces and toilet and door handles, can also help limit the risk of further infection. 

"Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should seek medical advice urgently. We are also asking people to contact Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection department on 01437 764551 or email [email protected]">[email protected] so that we can build up an accurate picture of how many people are affected to help our ongoing investigation."

The incubation period for E. coli O157 can range from one to 14 days, but is characteristically three to four days. The length of the illness can vary but people with E. coli O157 are usually ill for up to two weeks.

The organisers of Dance Camp Wales are working closely with Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection department and the NPHS to contact everyone who attended the event.

The investigation is ongoing. Pembrokeshire County Council, the NPHS and the Health Protection Agency will continue to monitor the situation closely. 

Further information about E. coli O157 is available from this website at: Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157)