Nursery E.coli tests are negative

The children must have two negative test results at least 48 hours apart

Initial tests for E-coli on 51 children at a nursery in Welshpool have proved negative, say public health chiefs.

The youngsters attending Park Lane Day Nursery in the Powys town were tested after two others became ill with the 0157 strain this month.

The results of second tests are due mid week. Four other children will be tested when they return from holiday.

It is not known if the two confirmed cases are linked. Neither child's age has been released.

The nursery remains open although none of the children tested can return until they have two negative tests at least 48 hours apart.

The National Public Health Laboratory Service said officials were alerted to the first case of E.coli at the nursery on 9 June by a laboratory report and the second case was identified.

The local health protection team went into the nursery on Friday to begin screening.

School dinners

Officials have said they were not concerned that this was part of a bigger outbreak.

It comes almost three years after a five-year-old boy died and more than 150 people became ill in an E.coli 0157 outbreak in the south Wales valleys.

The autumn 2005 outbreak of E.coli 0157 began after contaminated meat was used in school dinners.

That led to a public inquiry called by the Welsh Assembly Government, which heard evidence over several months this year.

Mac Walapu , consultant in communicable disease control, said: "People can become infected with E.coli O157 by eating contaminated food, through contact with farm animals or through contact with contaminated water.

Incubation

"The infection can also pass from person to person and so it is important that anyone who is ill should observe strict personal hygiene to avoid spreading the infection."

Symptoms of E.coli 0157 can range from mild diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever to bloody diarrhoea.

The incubation period can range from one to 14 days, but is usually three to four days, and people with E.coli 0157 are usually ill for up to two weeks.