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E coli outbreak is major crisis, says Northern Ireland health authority E coli outbreak is major crisis, says Northern Ireland health authority
(35 minutes later)
An E coli outbreak linked to a Belfast restaurant is being classified as a major public health crisis, a health authority in Northern Ireland has warned. An E coli outbreak linked to a Belfast restaurant has been classified as a major public health crisis, a health authority said.
With 20 confirmed cases and a further 118 cases of suspected food poisoning, the Public Health Agency said there could be a rise in the numbers of those infected within days. There have been 20 confirmed cases and a further 118 cases of suspected food poisoning, and the Public Health Agency said there could be a rise in the numbers of those infected within days.
Among those suffering symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains are eight children under the age of 14, the agency said. Among those suffering symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains were eight children under the age of 14, the agency said.
The E coli outbreak centres on Flicks restaurant at the Cityside Mall on the Yorkgate shopping complex in the north inner city. Last August, a separate outbreak of Ecoli was tracked back to Flicks. The E coli outbreak centres on Flicks restaurant, at the Cityside Mall on the Yorkgate shopping complex in the north inner city. Last August a separate outbreak of Ecoli was tracked back to Flicks.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show on Tuesday, the agency's consultant on health protection, Dr Michael Devine said: "We are dealing with a major public health crisis with these cases and we must ensure that we prevent any preventable cases. There will be a review, there will be an investigation, there will be analysis of the results and if any link to the August cases is established then that will have to be looked into." The agency's consultant on health protection, Dr Michael Devine said on BBC Radio Ulster: "We are dealing with a major public health crisis with these cases and we must ensure that we prevent any preventable cases. There will be a review, there will be an investigation, there will be analysis of the results and if any link to the August cases is established then that will have to be looked into."
Dr Devine later warned of more cases of Ecoli emerging over the next few days. Devine later warned of more cases of Ecoli emerging over the next few days. He said: "The further increase in cases is not unexpected as the incubation period for E coli is typically up to seven days. We expect therefore to see a further increase in cases as people continue to report symptoms and submit samples for testing. This does not reflect a worsening situation."
He said: "The further increase in cases is not unexpected as the incubation period for E coli is typically up to seven days.
"We expect therefore to see a further increase in cases as people continue to report symptoms and submit samples for testing. This does not reflect a worsening situation."