Riga, March 31 (LETA) - So far, 36 people have contracted the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) said in an interview on Latvian Television.

The majority, or 34, of those who have fallen ill are children. Another seven children have clinical symptoms of the disease. Abu Meri explained that the incubation period of the infection is long, so it is difficult to say how many children, identified as contact persons of the sick, might develop symptoms.

It has not yet been possible to identify any food product or other cause common to those who were ill that could be the source of infection. It is therefore very important for everyone to observe good hygiene.

The Food Veterinary Service (PVD), together with the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), has so far visited 19 preschools and two primary schools.

As reported, 19 children were treated at the Children's Clinical University Hospital on Saturday for the infection, Ilze Olsteina, a communications specialist at the Children's Hospital, told LETA.

Last year, 42 cases of this infection were reported in Latvia. On average, four to five cases of this infection are reported per month, according to the CDC.