CHILDREN in East Lancashire are victims of a dramatic rise in cases of food poisoning which leaves people ill for up to three weeks.

Public health officials have revealed that, during one three-week period, a dozen cases of cryptosporidium were recorded in Blackburn and Darwen and have admitted they don't know why.

The shock figure compares with 20 cases in the borough for the whole of 1998.

The disease, which is carried in water, milk and food, is characterised by a sudden bout of diarrhoea which usually goes on to last between two and three weeks.

But it can be more serious in people who have weaker immune systems and can cause weight loss, fever and abdominal pain.

There is no specific medication available. Out of the 12 cases recorded in Blackburn and Darwen in the three weeks from May 20, nine were under 10.

One of the children was treated in hospital but the disease was found in only one adult.

Investigations were carried out by East Lancashire Health Authority's communicable disease experts and the Public Health Laboratory Service but no link has been found between the patients.

The inquiry revealed that different milk suppliers were being used by the parents of the children and patients were spread across different water zones.

A report, which will be presented to members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's public protection committee on Thursday, says leisure activities and eating establishments also failed to provide a common link.

The most likely explanation experts could find was that some of the families involved had recently returned from holidays abroad which had included trips to children's open farms.

The strain has also increased in other parts of the North West.

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