THE public is being urged to make sure salad and raw vegetables are properly washed, following an outbreak of E. coli.

To date there have been 107 confirmed or probable cases of the bacteria - which can cause diarrhoea and abdominal pain - across the UK, including 6 in Wales.

Public Health Wales, Food Standards Agency Wales and Welsh Environmental Health Officers are supporting Public Health England (PHE) to investigate the outbreak, which may be associated with eating unwashed mixed salad leaves, including rocket.

Christopher Johnson, of Public Health Wales, said: “It is really important that people ensure they wash any salad or raw vegetables properly before eating them unless they have been pre-prepared and are specifically labelled ‘ready to eat’.

“The infection can pass from person to person and so it is important that anyone who is ill should observe strict personal hygiene to avoid spreading the infection.

“People should wash and dry their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, especially if they have diarrhoea, after handling animals and before preparing or eating food.

“Parents should supervise young children whilst washing their hands.

“Anyone who becomes unwell with symptoms of E-coli O157 should contact their GP if concerned and should stay away from school, nursery or work while they have symptoms and until they are advised that they are well enough to return.”

E.coli O157 infection can cause a range of symptoms, from mild diarrhoea to bloody diarrhoea with severe abdominal pain.

On rare occasions, it can also cause more serious medical conditions.