Two new cases of E.coli linked to a Dance Camp Wales event in Cresselly were confirmed on Friday.

A nine-year-old girl from Denbighshire and a 43-year-old women from Essex were being treated as probable E.coli cases and have now tested positive.

The National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) said that the tests of ten other people have come back negative. Test results from 11 people are still awaited.

Most people recover from E.coli O157 without complications, but it can be life threatening as the most severe cases can develop kidney failure.

The incubation period can range from one to 14 days, but is characteristically three to four days. The length of the illness can vary but people with E.coli O157 are usually ill for up to two weeks.

People can become infected by direct or indirect contact with animal faeces, particularly on farms and sites used for camping. Swimming in, or drinking, unchlorinated water, contact with an infected person or eating contaminated food can also cause the ilness.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s public protection department are continuing with extensive investigations into the source of the infection. They say that so far, all the environmental samples have tested negative.

The dance camp was held between July 29th and August 9th. Public health authorities are still calling for people to contact them if they attended the event and had a tummy upset while they were there or afterwards.

Anyone who is experiencing diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever or bloody diarrhoea should contact their GP or out of hours service as a matter of urgency.

They should also contact Pembrokeshire County Council’s public protection department on 01437 764551 or e-mail foodsafety@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

The council has made every effort to contact all attendees, making 200 phone calls and sending almost 300 emails to people known to have attended the camp. Council officers have also written to everyone who booked tickets for the event.

Dr Jörg Hoffmann, consultant in communicable disease control for the NPHS said that anyone who attended the event who is now having, or has recovered from, symptoms associated with E.coli infection should observe strict personal hygiene to prevent further spread of the illness within the family.

“People should wash and dry their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food.

"Parents of small children should supervise young children whilst washing their hands. Disinfecting all areas of the bathroom regularly, including hard surfaces and toilet and door handles, can also help limit the risk of further infection.”

The investigation by the county council, the NPHS and the Health Protection Agency, who will continue to monitor the situation closely, is ongoing.