CASES of E.coli at the Great Western Hospital have fallen from a two and a half year high earlier in the year, but remain higher than last year as cases nationally continue to rise.

Figures released by Public Health England (PHE) have shown that there were 24 cases of E.coli at the Great Western Hospital during the month of September this year, which is ten more cases than in September of last year.

The figures have fallen from a two and a half year high of 32 cases which were recorded in both July and August this year, which are the highest figures for the hospital that PHE has on record since its formation at the beginning of 2013.

The number of cases have now almost returned to the level recorded during January of this year when there were 23 cases, which was the next highest point in the last 13 months.

A spokesman for the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “National data shows that E coli bacteraemia, which is a blood stream infection, is subject to seasonal variation and often more prevalent during the summer months, between July and September.

“The vast majority of E coli cases recorded at the trust develop before a patient comes to hospital, however we continue to adopt strict infection control procedures to help prevent the transmission of E coli and other bacteria, which often require antibiotic treatment.”

Despite the fall in figures in Swindon PHE has recorded an increase of more than 500 cases nationally year on year, with 3354 cases recorded during September.

During the same month last year there were 3035 cases. There was also a rise nationally compared to August and July of this year when there were 3343 and 3371 cases respectively.

Professor Alan Johnson, head of the Department of Healthcare Associated Infection and Antibiotic Resistance at Public Health England, said: “Surveillance data has shown a national increase in Escherichia coli bacteraemia and PHE is working with the Department of Health and the NHS to undertake more in-depth surveillance on this infection and increase our understanding of the underlying epidemiology.

“PHE is also working closely with the Government Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection to identify healthcare interventions to reduce this infection.

“Tackling healthcare associated infections is a priority for PHE and across the NHS, and we actively monitor any changes in rates of infections.”