Spanish tourists contract E. coli

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Five adults are recovering at home in Wales after contracting E. coli in the Spanish resort of Benidorm.

The National Public Health Service for Wales said none of the five had to be treated in hospital.

In all, 14 adults from the UK who returned from Benidorm earlier this month have been confirmed with the E. coli 0157 infection.

Spanish health authorities are investigating the source of the outbreak.

Advice is also being given on how best to prevent contraction of the infection.

The Health Protection Agency in England said it has been made aware of 14 confirmed cases among travellers, with onset dates from 12 to 21 November.

Kidney failure

Four people are known to have been admitted to hospital in the UK and two since have been discharged.

Any travellers who have recently returned from the area and who suspect that they or their children may have E. coli should contact their GP as soon as possible.

After being infected by the E. coli bacteria it usually takes three or four days before symptoms develop, but it can be between one and 14 days.

Symptoms experienced by people with E. coli 0157 can vary from no illness through to having mild or bloody diarrhoea.

A small minority of cases, between 2 to 7% and mainly children, can experience more severe symptoms such as kidney failure.