PUBLIC health officials today revealed they were investigating a possible link between six cases of deadly E.coli poisoning across East Lancashire in the past 11 days.

The latest victim is a 21-year-old woman from Padiham who is being treated for E.coli O157 in the intensive care unit of Burnley General Hospital where her condition today was described as "improving". Her parents have kept a vigil by her bedside since she was admitted to hospital last Wednesday.

East Lancashire Health Authority confirmed it was investigating whether there was a connection between that case and five others from the area.

The other cases involve two adults and three children, two from the Ribble Valley and the others from Blackburn, Pendle and Rossendale.

Dr Stephen Morton, East Lancashire's public health director, said it was a "distinct possibility" that some of the cases were linked.

He said environmental health officers had visited several restaurants where the victims had been and were "vigorously investigating" the cases. He said the individuals and their families had been given advice to avoid the further spread of infection.

Dr Morton said: "We don't think they are all linked because some of the results that have come back to us are different.

"But it is a distinct possibility that some may be connected.

"This is an unusually high number of cases. Normally we would get about 50 cases in a single year."

E.coli can be caused by contaminated food particularly meat and dairy products. It can also be contracted from farm animals.

To minimise the risk of infection people are warned to ensure all meat is cooked thoroughly - particularly on barbecues, not to drink unpasteurised milk, keep kitchen work surfaces clean and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene.

The worst outbreak of E.coli O157 was in Lanarkshire in 1996 which claimed the lives of more than 20 people.

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