AUTHORITIES investigating a new outbreak of E coli disease in Dorset say there are two more possible cases.

Two possible cases of E coli O55, connected to one household in Dorset, have been confirmed by laboratory tests. Results on a third possible case are still awaited.

They are from the same household as two children currently in hospital with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) – a complication of E coli infection.

VTEC (Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli) O55 has been confirmed in one of the children in hospital as reported in the Echo earlier this week. Results of tests are still awaited on the second child.

Authorities are not saying where in Dorset the children are from.

Action taken by Public Health England on this latest cluster of E coli infections includes:

• Informing the school attended by one of the children in hospital •

Contacting the relevant work places of adult confirmed and possible cases, providing advice on infection control

• Following up all close contacts with tests and they are being asked detailed questions about all activities; places visited and food consumed in the two weeks before the first case was reported.

• GPs and hospital doctors in the area have also been alerted to the infection and advised to test all cases of bloody diarrhoea for this infection to ensure no cases are missed.

Public Health says typically, there is an increase in the numbers of cases of E coli over the summer months.

In order to prevent infection, it is very important to maintain good hand hygiene: washing hands thoroughly using soap and water after using the toilet, before and after handling food and after contact with animals including farm animals.

Small children should be supervised in washing their hands. Any loose soil should be removed before storing vegetables and all vegetables and fruit that will be eaten raw thoroughly washed.