The recent E.coli outbreak on an open farm in England will come as a surprise to some.

But those who have investigated this bacterium know the risk it poses on open or petting farms. A quick scan of the literature suggests one outbreak a year can be associated with open or petting farms.

E.coli, particularly the virulent 0157 variant, has always been associated with farms and farm animals.

Hand-washing, alcohol gels and all manners of materials used to remove the bacteria ultimately will prove useless.

This bacterium has an extremely low infective dose, it survives on most surfaces, including clothes, and as a result the risk of infection from infected animals or surroundings is very high.

The illness caused by this bacterium can be very severe, especially in children or the elderly; therefore the whole ethos of open farms - especially those allowing contact with animals - must be questioned.

Some may call me a killjoy, or accuse me of overreacting, but this bacteria killed 21 adults in central Scotland in 1996.

MARK W NEALE

Portadown