Posted: August 28th, 2008 - 7:01pm by Doug Powell

Up to 15 people – including children – were this afternoon being treated for E.coli after an outbreak of the bug near Aberdeen.

Seven cases have already been confirmed with a further eight people showing symptoms.

Public health chiefs believe the source is a shared private water supply to eight homes in South Auchinclech, near Westhill.

Aberdeen-based Prof Hugh Pennington, said the source of the contamination was likely to be cattle manure, adding,

“There is quite a strong possibility it got washed into the water supply by heavy rain. The water purification system probably got overwhelmed. …  Once somebody’s been affected, we’ve just got to keep our finger crossed.”