SCOTLAND'S infections watchdog has reported a "substantial increase" in the number of E.coli cases last year, with positive tests for the bacteria up by 19%.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said it had recorded 253 positive cases of E.coli during 2011, up from 212 the previous year.
The agency blamed the increase on a UK-wide outbreak believed to have originated from contaminated vegetables. The outbreak, between December 2010 and July 2011, saw 250 cases of E.coli infection throughout England, Wales and Scotland and 74 victims treated in hospital.
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