The attention of environmental health professionals is drawn to the recently issued Health Protection Agency (HPA), LACORS and HSE note for local authorities in England, Wales and N. Ireland. The note, Understanding and Managing the Risks from E.coli O157 in an Open Farm Context, has been produced following the outbreak of E. coli O157 at Godstone Farm in England last year. As advised in the Health Protection Scotland (HPS) Weekly Report dated 24 March 2010 (Volume 44 No. 2010/12) the Scottish Government and HPS are currently planning further work around E.coli O157 including the establishment of an expert group. This work will take account of the Godstone Farm investigation as well as other relevant ongoing inquiries from across the UK. The HPA, LACoRS and HSE note can be accessed via the following link. www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1267551713479?p=1259152466069
