Nursery children face E.coli test

Swabs taken from the nursery tested negative for E.coli O157

Up to 60 children and staff at an east Belfast nursery school are to be tested for E. coli infection.

A pupil at Ravenscroft Nursery School took ill with the E. coli 0157 strain of the organism, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.

The Eastern Board said the tests were a precautionary measure, so any other cases can be quickly detected.

A number of children at the nursery have had diarrhoea and vomiting, but the board said this may be unrelated.

Children and pensioners are especially vulnerable to E. coli 0157 which is normally found in the intestines of people and cattle and can be passed on by eating infected food and liquid.

A spokesman said: "People should not be unduly concerned but anyone in contact with the facility and who displays symptoms of sickness or diarrhoea in the coming days should seek the advice of their doctor."