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Toddlers hit by 'E.coli outbreak' | Quote: | Toddlers hit by 'E.coli outbreak'
A suspected outbreak of the E.coli 0157 infection has left three children in a serious condition.
The two-year-olds, who are being treated for kidney failure at Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital, all attend the Careshare nursery in Dunfermline, Fife.
The nursery is based at Lauder College and looks after about 100 children.
The source of the suspected outbreak has not been identified but the nursery has closed voluntarily while the premises are inspected by officials.
A spokeswoman for NHS Fife said on Tuesday evening that all of the children remained seriously ill, although one had shown a slight improvement.
Lauder College principal Bill McIntosh named two of the children affected as Lorna Balfour and Abigail Young. They are both children of students at the college.
Professor McIntosh added that initial reports suggested that the infection had been brought into the nursery from elsewhere.
He said: "Lauder is aware of the current situation regarding the suspected cases of E.coli 1057 which concerns three children who attended the state of the art nursery located within the grounds here at Halbeath and run by Care Share."
A spokesman for NHS Fife confirmed that the first child became ill on Friday evening.
When a second child linked to the nursery fell ill on Monday, an E.coli outbreak team was mobilised.
A third child was taken to hospital on Tuesday morning and the nursery was closed.
The incubation period for E.coli 0157 is usually between one and 14 days. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting, stomach pain and fever.
A spokeswoman at the nursery said: "We reported the illness immediately to the authorities who have inspected the nursery and our hygiene procedures, and have confirmed that they are satisfied.
"Although there is no evidence that the nursery is the source, we have decided to close the nursery for the time being to prevent any spread.
"We are of course taking advice from environmental health and health officials."
Dr Charles Saunders, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Fife, said: "The source of these infections is not yet known.
"We are writing to all parents and staff at the nursery with advice on E.coli 0157 infection and offering screening for E.coli 0157 infection.
"We have not so far been able to exclude possible food or water sources. We are working with Fife Council's environmental services department.
"It is certainly possible that other children who attend the nursery may be affected."
Ten years ago an outbreak of the same strain of E.coli resulted in the death of 21 elderly people in Lanarkshire.
It was the country's worst outbreak of E.coli and centred on a butcher's shop in Wishaw.
Afterwards new hygiene regulations for the preparation and sale of raw and cooked meats were introduced.
It later emerged that the private nursery had been criticised by government inspectors last January.
HM Inspectorate of Education, following a visit in October 2005, reported that staff did not ensure infection control procedures were followed consistently.
It said: "Some infection control issues were identified during the inspection.
"While appropriate policies and procedures had been developed, the manager must ensure that these are known to all staff and fully implemented." |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/4754483.stm
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Nina
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That is really bad news... I sincerely hope those wee ones will get well again 
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