Mountain bikers and cross-country runners are at risk from the deadly stomach bug E.coli if they get splashed with mud , doctors warned today . Medics at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary say they treated a 23-year-old cyclist for an E.coli 0157 infection after he was admitted to the hospital suffering from vomiting , abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea . The man - a vegetarian - said he had not eaten undercooked meat or vegetables , nor had he spent time with livestock or visiting farms before falling ill. A man was treated for E. coli which doctors believe he contracted after taking part in a Tough Mudder event and was splashed with infected mud ( file picture ) But eight days before his symptoms began the man had competed in a cycling event along wet , muddy tracks in eastern Scotland . He , along with other competitors , had removed the mudguards from his bicycle to reduce weight , and mud and water had splashed on his face during the race . It is thought this was how he became infected with the bug , which can be found in animal faeces and farm slurry . The man said he had taken part in a 'Tough Mudder ' event , which involves a 10 -12 mile race with obstacles such as climbing vertical walls and plunging through ice pools . The cyclist , who has not been identified , recovered - but the doctors have highlighted his case in the Journal of Infection Prevention . Writing in the research paper , the doctors warned : 'Sporting endeavours such as cycling and cross-country running events often take participants through such high-risk areas and may be an important cause of contact with E. coli 0157 . 'This case highlights such exposure and should alert clinicians to the possibility of E.coli 0157 infection and the importance of individuals presenting with bloody diarrhoea with a history of participation in similar sporting or other events . ' Escherichia coli , often known as E. coli , are bacteria found in the digestive systems of many animals , including humans . Most strains are harmless but some can cause serious illness . Most cases of E. coli food poisoning occur after eating undercooked beef ( particularly mince , burgers and meatballs ) or drinking unpasteurised milk . The incubation period for food poisoning caused by E. coli is usually 3-4 days , but it 's possible for symptoms to take longer to appear ( up to two weeks ) . Source : NHS Choices . Dr Robert Laing , consultant physician in Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and co-author of the journal article , said : 'We know that E.coli 0157 survives well in cattle faeces . 'This case highlights the possible risk to participants in sports that expose them to mud that may have been contaminated by animal faeces . 'Splashes to the face are likely to be particularly hazardous and efforts should be made to protect yourself from these as far as possible . ' E.coli 0157 , which lives in the gut of animals , is usually associated with food poisoning or drinking contaminated water . Scotland has a particularly high incidence of the strain , with more than twice as many cases than other parts of the UK . In 2012 , three people contracted E.coli 0157 infection following a 12-mile 'Tough Mudder ' event at Drumlanrig Castle , Dumfriesshire , which involved immersion or contact with mud . Also in 2012 , a study of one of the world 's largest mountain bike races , the 95k Birkebeinerrittet in Norway , which annually attracts 19,000 participants , found that when mudguards were attached to bikes , there were fewer cases of gastrointestinal illness . Health Protection Scotland warned anyone taking part in outdoor sports such as running or cycling and crossing areas that might contain animal faeces are at risk of picking up E.Coli ( pictured in a petri dish ) A Health Protection Scotland spokesman said today : 'Anyone taking part in outdoor sports such as running or cycling - and events that cross areas that have recently been occupied by animals such as cattle or sheep - should be aware of the risks of picking up a gastro-intestinal infection such as Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli ( VTEC ) , more commonly referred to as E.coli . 'One of the main risks to humans is from coming into contact directly or indirectly with contaminated animal faeces . 'Our advice would be to follow common sense principles and if you have contaminated hands or face , take care that this material does not get into your mouth and wash as soon as possible and before eating . '
Doctors treated 23-year-old cyclist suffering vomiting and bloody diarrhoea . He had contracted E. coli after competing in a cycling event in Dumfriesshire . Had removed mudguards from his bicycle and been splashed with dirt . This is how he contracted the bug , which is found in animal slurry . Doctors warn anyone coming into contact with animal faeces is at risk .