Final E.coli child returns home

A total of 13 cases were linked to the Dunfermline outbreak

The last of the children hospitalised after an E.coli O157 outbreak in Dunfermline has returned home.

The infection had centred on families attending the Careshare Nursery. At its height, five children had to be treated for kidney failure.

There were 13 other confirmed cases of the potentially fatal strain.

An NHS Fife spokesman confirmed that the last of the children had been released from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.

Tests are still ongoing on a further 10 possible cases linked to the nursery.

Rare strain

Dr Neil Hamlet, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Fife, said: "Preventing spread of E.coli O157 infection between people depends on effective handwashing after using the toilet, before and after handling food, and before eating.

"This needs to be supervised for younger children."

It emerged on Saturday that the particular strain of bug in the outbreak was rare in the UK.

The bacterium was hard to identify and clinicians were being urged to be vigilant when testing samples.

The bug is most commonly found in the intestines of cattle.

Humans can become infected by eating contaminated foods, inadequately cooked meat and dairy products.

Infection also occurs through direct contact with animals and by person-to-person spread.