An investigation was under way yesterday into an outbreak of E.coli in a village in Aberdeenshire.

At least 15 people are believed to have been struck down with illness and symptoms associated with the deadly bacteria.

The outbreak of the E.coli 0157 bug was discovered in a private water supply shared by eight properties in Auchinclech, near Westhill. NHS Grampian said that children were among the seven people suffering from the infection. Another eight people are being tested for the infection.

Two adults are understood to have been admitted to hospital with vomiting and diarrhoea but have since been discharged. The rest were all treated by their GPs.

A spokesman for NHS Grampian said: “None of them are giving us any cause for concern. E.coli 0157 symptoms can vary from mild diarrhoea through to kidney damage, but you have to take it seriously. It's unpleasant for very old people or very young people. We are asking householders to boil all water until such time when the water supply can be tested and is clear - but I can't put a time frame on that.”

An investigation was initiated after residents were admitted to hospital on Friday suffering from E.coli symptoms.

It is thought that heavy rainfall could have caused the water supply to become infected as the bacteria, found in animal faeces, was washed from adjacent farmland into the Auchinclech water supply.

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