Twelve people are now believed to be sick in an E. coli O157 outbreak in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (in Canada).

But as reported by the Chronicle Herald, Liberal health critic Leo Glavine says the Nova Scotia health system needs to report E. coli cases more quickly.

He said he is also concerned that district health authorities do not have to inform the chief medical officer of health when people get sick from the bacteria.

Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer Robert Strang told the public about the cases in a news release Thursday, but only after the CBC reported the outbreak.

Early reporting of the illness should be mandated, Glavine said Saturday.

“I think what we need is to have E. coli as one of those reportable quick response (conditions) that then allows the chief medical officer to let the residents of Nova Scotia know.”

Such a system exists in New Brunswick, Glavine said. In that province a verbal report must be made to health officials in that province within an hour of anyone being diagnosed with a suspected food or water-borne condition, and a written report must be made within 24 hours.

Having a system in place in Nova Scotia that allows for an early warning of an outbreak would help reduce its spread because it would put “us all on greater alert to do the best pratices and be that more diligent,” he said.

Health Minister Dave Wilson defended the timing of his department’s release.

“When illnesses like this occur, there are many processes that take place behind the scenes that must be followed,” he said. “In the early stages of an investigation we want to learn as much as possible, to avoid alarming the public.

“Once we had enough of the necessary information, we issued our news release and we will be providing updates to keep everyone up to date. Our first update is planned for Monday, whether we have new information or not.”