Published Thursday, 18 October 2012
Flicks in Cityside Mall is being investigated after an E coli outbreak. (© UTV)
A total of 29 people have now been found to have contracted food poisoning during the October outbreak, during which Flicks restaurant in the Cityside Mall closed voluntarily.
Fifteen of them were hospitalised, while a further 202 suspected cases have been flagged to the Public Health Agency.
But the Type 54 strain of E. coli causing the illness is not the same as the strain reported in August.
The four earlier cases - found to be Type 8 - were also linked to the York Street premises, but tests at the time proved negative.
There were also no cases of E. coli associated with Flicks in the six-week period between the two outbreaks.
The latest investigations by the Public Health Agency and Environmental Health officers began when the first possible case of food poisoning was reported on 9 October.
"The PHA has activated a full public health response to this outbreak and the situation is being managed and monitored very closely," Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health with the PHA, said.
"It is vital that everyone follows some simple rules to prevent the spread of E. coli - not just those with symptoms."
Investigations are still continuing and the management of Flicks are cooperating.
According to the Public Health Agency, final conclusions will only emerge when all cases have been identified and analysed to identify any common links.
The biggest UK outbreak of E. coli occurred in Scotland in 1996, when more than 300 cases were linked to a butcher's shop.
Anyone who has eaten at Flicks since 24 September and has diarrhoea or abdominal pain should contact their GP urgently for medical advice.