FIFE COUNCIL was involved in 132 infectious diseases investigations in 2018. 

That included 44 cases of salmonella and 40 incidents of E.Coli 0157. Both are generally linked to contaminated food. 

Officers also looked into 34 cases of cryptosporidium, which is often associated with foreign travel and polluted water supplies, which can cause stomach pain, fever, nausea or vomiting and dehydration. 

Other diseases investigated included hepatitis, listeria, shigella and legionella. 

A report to the environment, protective services and community safety committee explained: “The environmental health (food and workplace safety) team work in conjunction with Health Protection Scotland and NHS Fife to investigate incidents of communicable disease particularly if there is a possible link to food or water.

"Environmental health officers and food safety officers carry out investigations after being notified by NHS Fife when a patient has become ill from a communicable disease. 

“Where possible, these investigations are carried out within one working day.”

Actions can include giving advice to the infected person about how to minimise the spread of infection, investigating their food history to see if a food business is linked to the infection, carrying out inspections at premises linked to the food, or potentially contaminated water sources, and taking enforcement action.