Researchers tackle travel tummy

Ways of combating bacteria which causes nearly a million deaths a year worldwide could result from research being carried out at the University of Birmingham.

Scientists at the university's medical school are sequencing the DNA of a strain of e-coli which is responsible for 800,000 deaths a year and is one of the most common causes of sickness for travellers while on holiday.

The researchers say the work is the biggest breakthrough in the field in 20 years and could lead to vaccinations to prevent the illness.