Researchers are ­trying to establish why Grampian has one of the world's highest rates of the potential killer infection, and have targeted Moray as a source of more information.

Dr Colette Jones from the University of Aberdeen is currently working on a three-year project called 'Reducing Escherichia E. coli O157 risk in rural communities' and believes people living in Moray's more isolated parts could provide some pieces of the jigsaw.

The O157 strain of E.coli is a cause of food-related illness and has been associated with eating undercooked beef or contaminated meat and vegetables, drinking unpasteurised milk and swimming in or drinking contami­nated water.

Dr Jones said she was researching four types of people: farmers, food workers, ­visitors to rural areas and those currently living in the countryside.

"It is likely to be that the level of understanding will differ between groups," said Dr Jones, who works at the university's school of geo-sciences.

"In Moray we have spoken to farmers – but not those who live in rural areas – and are not from a farming background."

Dr Jones said she would like to hear from anyone fitting that ­description who could help her research the risks and social perceptions of the infection.

Information on the geography, economics, immunology and soil science of Moray could be crucial to reducing risk of infection in rural communities.

Victims can experience abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea and even kidney failure caused by the destruction of red blood cells, especially in young children and elderly people.

Rural townsfolk, scientists, medics, regulators and policy makers have all been interviewed since the start of the year as part of the project, which involves a large team of researchers from across the UK.

The University of Aberdeen is keen to develop further knowledge of the O157 strain, which strikes around 50 people in Grampian each year.

Dr Jones held a seminar in Aberdeen last week to showcase some of the research and explain some of her theories.

"Two early findings from the survey are the extreme contrast of experiences and views on the bug, and the feeling that some people are more susceptible to infection than others," she added

Dr Jones said her seminar gave examples of diversity, both in local opinion on the infection and the risk involved, showing how it can suddenly flourish into an outbreak or into the media.

If you live in a rural area of Moray and would like to help Dr Jones with her research, she can be contacted by phone on 01224 272370 or by email at c.d.jones@abdn.ac.uk

c.christie@northern-scot.co.uk

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