E-Coli

For the last few days my attention has been focused on the outbreak of E-Coli in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr. Though the Cynon Valley has the most schools affected, we have the school with the highest number of cases - Penygraig Infants - which has had one of the most seriously-affected children. Today we learned that Penyrenglyn school also has been hit. I discussed the issue privately with the Health Minister yesterday morning and raised the issue in the Assembly yesterday. I said:

My thoughts, as are everyone else’s, are with the children and parents affected by this outbreak. While it is a worrying time, I can confirm, from a conversation that I had with the headteacher of the affected Penygraig school in my constituency, that parents are responding in a responsible way and are not panicking; that is good to see. Will you ensure that the utmost amount of information comes out to parents as soon as possible so that everyone understands the reasons for this outbreak? Are you satisfied that this information came out quickly enough over the weekend?

The Minister responded:

The outbreak control team regularly kept me informed on developments. It is difficult to have an overall view of what is happening at the early stages of such an outbreak, and I was impressed by the thoroughness of the outbreak team in quickly trying to monitor the situation to see whether there was a single source. From the information I received, as the reports came in, the pattern of this illness gradually began to emerge, probably up to late Sunday evening. The two to three dozen staff involved on the ground over the weekend, and the additional numbers now involved, are working hard, and I hope that the necessary assurance becomes available.

I have been in touch with the Head Teachers at both the affected schools. This afternoon, I have been told by the BBC that the Food Standards Agency has traced the source to a food supplier.

Lessons need to be learned from this outbreak. In a normal year, there are only 30 cases in Wales. According to RCT Council, there are apparently 56 so far identified in this case.