The cause of an outbreak of the potentially deadly bug e.coli, which led to two children being treated in hospital, still remains a mystery.

Scientists have been unable to pinpoint the source of the infection, which affected 14 people in Lothersdale in October.

They have warned residents and parents of children at the village primary school to be especially careful about hygiene, especially when handling food.

A spokesman for the Leeds-based Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Unit, which has spearheaded the investigation, said: “There have been no further confirmed cases and no source identified.”

Representatives from the health protection unit, North Yorkshire County Council, North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust and Craven District Council are due to gather on Wednesday January 28 for a “wrap-up” meeting.

A county council spokeswoman said all the parties would scrutinise what had happened and investigate what could be learned, make sure any risks were reduced and possibly make recommendations.

The type of e.coli which hit the village was the 0157 strain.

Eight cases were confirmed at first and a later investigation found another six. Most victims were pupils and staff at the village primary school and others were residents. The two youngsters who received hospital treatment recovered.

At the time of the outbreak no clear source of the infection could be identified and villagers were advised to boil drinking water.

Dr Louise Coole, consultant in communicable disease control at the Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Unit, said the unit had been working closely with the local authorities and Primary Care Trust, to investigate all the cases, but no clear source of infection had been identified.

“No further cases have been identified since the outbreak,” she said. “However, as a precautionary measure we are continuing to advise Lothersdale residents and parents of children at the local school to be aware of the symptoms and to be particularly careful about washing their hands – especially before and after handling food, after using the toilet and after any contact with people with gastro symptoms.”