Child with E. Coli infection dies

Health officials say there is no clear source for the infection

A child from Devon has died after being infected with E. coli.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has refused to release any details about the child, thought to be a toddler.

But the agency would say that no clear source for the infection has been found and that no other cases have been linked to the infection.

The HPA has also confirmed that it does not think the child's death is connected to an outbreak which centred on a petting farm in Surrey.

HPA spokesman Laurence Knight said: "The Health Protection Agency with local partners have been investigating a case of E. coli O157 infection in a child from Devon, who recently died.

"Our thoughts are with the family at this time, and no further details are being released due to patient confidentiality."

As part of the inquiry the HPA carried out investigations into the child's food history and travel.

The E. coli bacterium is usually transferred to humans by ingesting contaminated water, or contaminated food which has not been cooked properly.