E.coli infects pupils after farm visit

FOUR YOUNG children contracted E.coli after visiting a farm centre, health officials said yesterday. Two were still in hospital last night.

Doctors believe two more youngsters could also have the virus after visiting a farm in the village of Brynsiencyn on Anglesey, north Wales. They are believed to have been infected with the E.coli 0157 bacteria after coming into contact with animals on the farm last month.

Dr Richard Roberts, of North Wales Health Authority, said two children had recovered but the health authority was also looking at two further possible cases. "We don't know at the moment whether these six children represent all the children who've been infected," said Dr Roberts.

"We've put out an alert for any further cases that may be linked. It's possible that we will find more children, but we don't know at this stage."

The farm at the centre of the alert, Foel Farm, was closed yesterday.