E coli linked to dog faeces

A DIRECT link has been found between the E coli bug and dog faeces, according to scientists.

Environmental health officers took 90 samples of dog faeces from four beaches and found the E coli in seven, reports The Independent.

Professor Hugh Pennington, who led the inquiry into the 1996 inquiry into the outbreak of the bug in Scotland said the dog faeces theory was “as good as anything I have heard”.

In the past Prof Pennington has advised that small children should not be allowed to visit farms as the risk of picking up the bug is too great.

He also warned that imported organic produce could harbour E coli.

• Open-day fears after E coli scare, FWi, 25 February 2000
• Poison risk from organic imports, FWi, 22 November 1999
• Sewage used as farm fertiliser poses E coli risk, warns Pennington, FWi, 05 February 1998