E.coli-closed nursery to reopen

Health professionals are still unsure of the source of the E.coli infection

A nursery school in Greater Manchester, which closed after children and staff contracted an E.coli infection, is soon to reopen for business.

Seven children who attend Ambrose Nook nursery in Oldham, together with a member of staff, caught the food bug infection about a fortnight ago.

One child is said to be improving in hospital. The rest are symptom-free or recovering at home.

Three relatives of the youngsters also contracted the infection.

A team comprising the Health Protection Agency, Oldham Council's Environmental Health Department and Primary Care Trust, and microbiologists, has been investigating the outbreak but has yet to pinpoint the source.

Cleaning programme

However, the nursery, which temporarily closed to prevent any further possibility of infection passing from child-to-child, is expected to re-open some time next week.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency said: "Most of the testing has been completed and the remainder will be carried out next week.

"The nursery has co-operated fully with us and although we haven't managed to pinpoint the source of the infection yet, as is standard in these situations, a full programme of deep cleaning is being carried out at the premises."

Parents were told about the situation when they collected their children from the nursery on 11 May.

They were given a leaflet on E.coli O157 and its symptoms, which range from mild diarrhoea to abdominal cramps and blood in the stools, as well as advice on infection control measures.