§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many recorded(a) E-coli infections and (b) E-coli 0157 infections there were in each year since 1997 which were linked to camping or visiting open farms; and if he will make a statement. [128928]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe table shows the number of laboratory confirmed cases of Escherichia coli 0157 (E. coli) infection in England, Wales and Scotland from 1983 to 2002.
The first case of infection with a Vero-cytotoxin producing strain of Escherichia coli (VTEC) was diagnosed in 1982. Virtually all cases of Vero-cytotoxin producing strains of E. coli infection are caused by E. coli 0157. All cases of E. coli infection associated with camping or visits to open farms have been due to the 0157 strain.
Data on sporadic cases are not included because it is not possible to link individual sporadic cases to a particular route of transmission.
1288W
Report year E. coli 0157 E. coli 0157 associated with camping or open farms 1983 0 — 1984 6 — 1985 53 — 1986 80 — 1987 101 — 1988 88 — 1989 206 —
Report year E.coli 0157 E.coli 0157 associated with camping or open farms 1990 415 — 1991 563 — 1992 585 — 1993 504 — 1994 653 5 1995 1,039 0 1996 1,166 0 1997 1,513 30 1998 1,107 11 1999 1,378 21 2000 1,093 33 2001 1,003 23 2002 824 5 This table does not include outbreaks associated with camping or visiting open farms in which infection was acquired from contaminated food or water. The figures for 2002 are provisional.