E. coli outbreak: Adonis Kebab House in Cardiff reopens

A Cardiff takeaway at the centre of an investigation into food poisoning has been allowed to reopen.

The Adonis Kebab House in City Road, Roath, was ordered to close two weeks ago after a number of people fell ill in an outbreak of E. coli O157.

Public Health Wales says that total has now reached nine, with another nine still being investigated.

The Adonis opened again after Cardiff council said it was satisfied "possible risks to health were removed".

Health officials said none of the affected people were in hospital.

The council said it had been working with the owner of the kebab house on improvements, and it had been issued with a certificate allowing it to start trading again from last Thursday.

A council spokesperson said: "Staff have undergone training in food hygiene matters. The owner of the business has been asked to undertake improvements which have now been completed.

"He has cleaned all parts of the premises and equipment, installed new equipment such as sink, wash hand basin and dishwasher, and provided separate fridges for salad and raw meat.

"New dividers have also been installed in the display chiller cabinets to ensure greater separation between salads and raw meat to prevent any cross contamination."

Gwen Lowe of Public Health Wales, and the chair of the outbreak control team, said: "The incubation period for E. coli O157 can range from one to 14 days, but is characteristically three to four days.

Online questionnaire

"Although we are at the end of the incubation period, we may still identify more cases.

"These will mostly be people who have recovered but have been identified as a result of the ongoing investigations."

Officials have also asked anyone who has eaten at the kebab house since 18 July to give their details on an online questionnaire on the Public Health Wales website. To date, 67 people have done so.

Dr Lowe said: "E. coli O157 is a serious bacterial infection that causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

"The symptoms of E. coli O157 range from mild diarrhoea, stomach cramps to bloody diarrhoea. Most people recover without complications, but the most severe cases can develop kidney failure."

Infection can be caused by eating contaminated food, or through contact with farm animals or contaminated water. It can also pass between people, and anyone who is ill is advised to observe strict personal hygiene.

Anyone with symptoms is asked to contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 for advice.