It is thought that a number of visitors to Benidorm on the Costa Blanca might have contracted a form of E.coli while they were there.The British health authority is investigating cases of the infection which is thought to be caused by the 0157 strain.The British authorities have confirmed 14 cases of a gastrointestinal  infection in adults who did spend time in the town between the 12th and 21st November.

Four of those who have been diagnosed have had to be hospitalised according to a spokesperson from the Public Health Authority.There is a close liason between the Spanish and the British health authorities and hospitals and clinics in Benidorm have been placed on alert for the symptoms in others.They are now waiting to try and identify the source of the problem

Health officials are telling all visitors and residents alike to follow strict hygiene routines,washing hands with soap,keeping bathrooms disinfected and changing towels regularly.The bacterium normally lives in the gut but now and then it is able to make highly toxic substances which cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Contamination can be from food but it can also come via contaminated water and another contaminated human being.