A health expert has given details of an E coli outbreak in Fife in a bid to reassure the public.
Dr Margaret Hannah, deputy director of public health at NHS Fife, said there was no reason to avoid Letham Glen in Leven, following reports that up to 10 dogs had fallen ill with sickness and diarrhoea after visiting the area.
She said the bug could have been spread as a result of dogs sniffing each other.
It is understood there were five confirmed cases of E coli affecting pets. It has been suggested torrential rain caused water contamination at the popular spot for dog walking.
The outbreak led to fears humans could be affected and one anxious mum reportedly kept her young child away from the area.
Dr Hannah said there had been no human cases of E coli linked to Letham Glen.
”While dogs are frequent carriers of E coli, rarely does it cause them symptoms,” she said.
”Public concern can arise because of clusters of illness in dogs, who use the same recreation area, but this happens because dogs can spread infections when they examine each other.
”Flooding in the Letham Glen area took place more than six weeks ago.
”If there were a substantial risk in the locality, we would have expected to see human cases of E coli within 14 days.
”No cases of E coli infection have been reported to the public health department from anyone living in the KY8 area of Fife since August this year.
”On the basis of our investigations, there is no public health threat in the Letham Glen area of Fife at present.
”That said, it is always advisable to maintain careful hand hygiene after visiting places where animals might have been roaming.
”This includes washing hands after removing muddy boots and clothing and wiping clean wheels of buggies and wheelchairs if they appear to be muddy after a stroll.
”It would be very unfortunate if unsubstantiated claims of E coli infection in dogs became a reason for people to avoid enjoying an afternoon in the park.”
Fife Council lead officer Lisa McCann said: ”Fife Council protective services have been made aware of and are looking into allegations relating to a spate of recent illness in dogs connected to Letham Glen, which may have been related to recent flooding in the area.
”Officers visited Letham Glen last Thursday, at which time no obvious visible contamination of the water course was found.
”We are liaising with other council services and partner organisations to investigate this matter.”