Two cases of E.coli 0157 were identified last week among children attending childcare providers in the region, although there is no evidence of transmission within the settings.
Dr Chris Whiteside, consultant in communicable disease control, said, ‘The three children affected have links to one another outside of the childcare settings they attend, and there is no suggestion that the infection has been transmitted within that setting.’
The affected providers will remain closed as a precaution while Public Health Wales and Conwy County Borough Council investigate the cases.
All of the affected children are now recovering at home and will not return to the childcare settings until they are clear of infection.
E.coli 0157 is often linked to children having contact with farm animals, or through eating contaminated food and drinking unpasteurised milk.
The most common side effects of the infection are severe diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever. In some cases, it can cause potentially fatal kidney failure in children
NHS Wales has issued a series of precautions to reduce the risk of spreading the illness: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/news/38626
- Anyone who has concerns about their health should contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.
