Published: Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 09:00
E.coli outbreak 'under control'
By Ally McGilvray
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A NURSERY in the Borders was forced to close after two children were found to have contracted a potentially deadly bug.
A statement from NHS Borders said two cases of E.coli O157 had been reported to its public health department in the last week.
Both children - who were under four years of age – were at home under the care of their GP and said to be doing well.
As a precautionary measure, checks were being carried out on any youngsters and staff who attended the nursery.
However, this week, no new cases of the infection had been detected and, following a meeting of its outbreak control team on Monday, the health board was confident the situation was under control.
Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Alan Mordue said: “All possible sources and modes of spread are being considered.
“The childcare facility has been fully cooperative. Their decision to voluntarily close while this issue is fully investigated and to minimise any possibility of the infection spreading has been very helpful.”
The Scottish Borders usually sees about 10 cases of E.coli O157 a year.
Symptoms can range from mild diarrhoea to stomach cramps and fever.
The incubation period can range from one to 14 days, but is usually three to four days, and people with E.coli O157 are usually ill for up to two weeks.
The children affected had frequent social contact outside the nursery.
Investigations were continuing to try to establish the source of the infection.
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