THREE more reports of an E.coli food poisoning infection possibly linked to an outbreak based around Billingham and east Durham have been received by health officials.

That means the total number of cases is now 15, of whom six are in hospital. Four children, aged between eight and 14, are among those in hospital.

The latest cases are known to have eaten products bought or supplied by Robinson’s butchers before control measures were introduced at the premises on Wednesday, July 15.

Although a definite source has not yet been identified, many of the affected people are known to have eaten pre-cooked meats or savoury products bought or supplied by Robinson’s butcher and caterer who has shops in Wingate and Billingham.

The public were first told of the outbreak last week. Health protection experts from Public Health England and environmental health teams from both County Durham and Stockton councils are continuing to investigate all possible sources of the outbreak.

As a precaution local residents in the south of County Durham and North Tees have been advised not to eat any cold pre-cooked meats or savouries bought from Robinson’s butchers and caterers in Wingate and Billingham, between 25 June and 15 July, and to throw out any they may still have in their fridge or freezers.

E.coli O157 is a serious bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure.

Consultant in health protection and chair of the outbreak control team Dr Deb Wilson said: "The exact source of this outbreak is not yet known.

"However, many of the affected people are known to have eaten cooked meat products bought or supplied by Robinson’s butcher shops in either Wingate or Billingham.

"As a precautionary measure we have advised anyone who bought cooked meats or savouries from Robinson’s butchers in Wingate or Billingham between 25 June and 15 July, not to eat them.

"If they still have any of these products in their fridge or freezer they should throw them out immediately.

"The owner and staff of Robinson’s butchers and caterers are co-operating fully with the investigation.

"They conducted a deep clean of both premises and discarded all ready to eat food prepared before Thursday, July 16."

"E.coli O157 infection can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and more rarely kidney failure in children. Anyone who has eaten cooked meats bought between 25 June and 15 July from Robinson’s butchers and feels unwell should contact their GP in the usual way."