E coli outbreak in Preston primary school

A primary school in Preston has closed following an outbreak of E. coli 0157 in the city.

Six members of staff and more than 60 year one pupils at Sherwood Primary in Fulwood were kept away from lessons while they were tested for the bacteria.

Two pupils have been diagnosed with different strains of E. coli 0157.

As yet the source is unknown but health officials are investigating its origins.

David Fann, headteacher at Sherwood, said the infection had been “very disruptive” and had led to the whole of the Year One unit being closed as a precaution.

The pupils and staff were told to stay away until they had provided negative samples. No other children have tested positive so far.

Deep cleans of classrooms, toilets, desks and chairs have taken place and equipment such as pencils, crayons and sand from the sandpit have been thrown away to prevent spread.

E. coli nursery closing permanently

The nursing home at the centre of an E. coli outbreak in Wales is closing for good according to the ownsers.

The Tri Ceffyl Bach Nursery in Amlwch was closed by health officials as a precaution after the outbreak. The number of cases of E. coli has risen to six.

The owners say due to the impact of the outbreak they have decided to close indefinitely and thanked parents and staff for their support.

Investigations into the source of the outbreak are ongoing, but health officials said it was difficult to determine when children are involved.

So far 58 people have been tested with tests being offered to anyone associated with the nursery.

Three new E Coli cases at nursery

Three further cases of E. coli have been confirmed folllowing an outbreak at a nursery in Anglesey. This brings to six the total number of confirmed cases of E. coli at Tri Ceffyl Bach Nursery.

The nursery was closed as a precaution last Thursday and almost 60 people have been tested for E. coli.

The source of the outbreak has not been confirmed but investigations are ongoing.

Dr Chris Whiteside, of Public Health Wales, said: “Given the nature of this infection it is not unusual for more cases to be identified amongst children attending the nursery.

“This is why the nursery was asked to close and the children and staff were asked to be tested.

“Investigations into the source will continue. However, it can be difficult to identify a definitive source in an outbreak like this because the bug is so easily spread where young children are concerned.”

He added: “In Wales about 80 cases of E. coli O157 are diagnosed each year.

“Considerable effort is going into providing advice and collecting information locally that will help control this outbreak.

“People can become infected with E. coli O157 by eating contaminated food, or through contact with infected people, farm animals or contaminated water.

“It is important to re-enforce the message that this infection can be passed from person to person and so anyone who is ill should observe strict personal hygiene to avoid spreading the infection.”

North Wales News North Wales nursery closed as child diagnosed with E Coli

A nursery has been closed to prevent a potential outbreak following a child’s E Coli O157 diagnosis.

Public Health Wales said three other children and two adults who are linked to the nursery on Anglesey have also been unwell.

Given the fatal consequences and quick spread that the E Coli bug can have in children’s nurseries extra precautions are being taken.

Testing is being offered to children, and parents are being asked to collect stool samples from their children as soon as possible. Nursery staff, and those in ‘at-risk’ groups who are close contacts of people who are unwell, will also be tested.

Dr Chris Whiteside, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said: “No children or staff will be allowed to attend the nursery until they have received two negative tests for E Coli O157 taken at least 48 hours apart.”

E coli-infected child still in hospital

A child infected with E coli at a hospital nursery – one of four confirmed cases – is still being treated in hospital.

Two other cases are suspected and seven children who had symptoms are awaiting test results.

The total number of people infected by the deadly bug could rise to 13.

The outbreak occurred at Playdays nursery in Middlesbrough, part of James Cook University Hospital. Staff at the Health Protection Agency have still not found the cause of the outbreak, while the nursery is to stay closed until August 30.

One of the two suspected cases involves a member of staff at the nursery, although they are not said to be displaying any symptoms. Fifteen other children who did show symptoms of E coli O157 have been told they are not infected.

Tricia Hart, patient safety and nursing director at South Tees Hospital NHS foundation trust, the health board responsible for the nursery, said: “Although the source of this infection is not yet known, we took the decision to close the nursery in the interests of the children.”

‘No implications’ from hospital E coli

An outbreak of E coli in a children’s nursery at a hospital has not spread to other areas of the site, according to the man in charge of the health trust responsible.

Five children at Playdays day nursery in James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough have caught the gastroenteritis bug, which causes abdominal pain, sickness and diarrhoea.

Another 20 children from the nursery are ill with diarrhoea.

Playdays was shut on August 12 and will not be allowed to reopen until August 30.

Staff from the Health Protection Agency are inspecting the premises.

The hospital is run by South Tees hospital NHS foundation trust. Chief executive Simon Pleydell said: “The outbreak is unfortunate for the families and for the children involved but there are no implications as far as the hospital is concerned.”

E coli is typically spread through contaminated food and water.

Wales E.coli outbreak numbers to increase

Health officials have said an E.coli outbreak in south-east Wales is being treated “extremely seriously” after doctors admitted they expect more people suffering from food poisoning to come forward.

Three people are in a stable condition in hospital, with four others also suffering from food poisoning, since the start of the outbreak, Public Health Wales has confirmed.

Cardiff, Rhonda Cynon Taf and Vale of Glamorgan councils have joined Public Health Wales in an outbreak control team and its chair, Dr Gwen Lowe said investigations into the incident will be thorough.

She told BBC Radio Wales: “Behind the scenes there is an awful lot of follow-up investigation, methodical sifting through evidence, looking at the situation to find out exactly what may have gone on. Precautionary action was taken by Cardiff council and premises were closed on a precautionary basis”

The Adonis Kebab House on City Road in Cardiff has been closed by the local authority as a precaution while investigations are ongoing.