E coli outbreak in Scotland

So far, three people, including two school children, are reported to ahave been struck down by the illness. In a statement, NHS Lanarkshire said: "We can confirm that there have been three linked cases of E coli 0157 within the village of Law, South Lanarkshire. All of these cases have a link with J & H Cairns, a butcher in the village.

"While there is no conclusive evidence that J & H Cairns is the source of the outbreak, as a precautionary measure, we would advise anyone who has any food - other than raw meat - from J & H Cairns to dispose of it." The nearby village of Wishaw was the centre of a major E coli outbreak in 1996, when 21 people died. There have recently been cases of the same E coli strain in Fife and Aberdeenshire but they are not believed to be connected.

Dr David Cromie, a local consultant in public health medicine, said that everyone involed was co-operating fully with extensive testing. He added: "These are precautionary measures and we will continue to monitor the situation." But Douglas Scott, the chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Scotland commented: "It would be disappointing if it was connected to the butcher's shop because butchers have increased their standards since the Wishaw incident in 1996."

No-one was available for comment from J & H Cairns.

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