More cases of gastric bug emerge as total affected by illness passes 300

Some 142 people have been affected by cryptosporidiosis in Yorkshire in the past four weeks, compared with only 24 cases in the same period last year.

Latest figures show there have been 327 cases across Yorkshire, the North East and Midlands over the period, up from 82 last year, with another 60 in the first week of June. Most were recorded in May.

Officials from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are continuing to investigate whether cases are linked.

Some people have needed hospital treated for the gastrointestinal infection but most have suffered a mild to moderate form of illness. No hospitalisations have been reported in the last week.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate has confirmed there is no evidence that public water supplies are implicated. The illness is caused by an organism found in soil, food, water or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal droppings.

People can become infected by consuming contaminated water or food, by swimming in contaminated water, or through contact with infected animals. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can range from mild to severe.

Stephen Morton, who is leading the investigation for the HPA, said it was too soon to tell if the rise in cases had peaked.