Scottish Nursery Closed Due to Potential E. Coli Outbreak
A nursery by the name of Cherrytrees, located in Hawick, Scotland, was temporarily shut down this week due to an E. coli outbreak concern. The NHS Borders Health Protection team is working closely with Cherrytrees nursery to determine the source of the outbreak. All staff, teachers, and students are being asked to remain at home for the time being, in order to prevent the potential further spread of the infection. The director of public health at the NHS Borders Health Protection recently announced that “if you or your child have attended Cherrytrees nursery since May 9 and develop any….symptoms [of E. coli infection] then call your GP (or NHS 24 on 111 if your GP surgery is closed) and let them know.”
Symptoms of E. coli infection typically include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Health officials request that anyone who experiences these symptoms and has been at Cherrytrees nursery within the given time frame contact a medical professional so that they may arrange for stool and blood testing at Border General Hospital to be conducted. Stool and blood tests will assist health professionals to determine the type of E. coli that is being spread which will help the overall investigation and prevention of its reccurance.
E. coli is a type of bacteria which is naturally present in the environment and in human and animal intestines. Only certain types of E. coli, referred to as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), cause infection in people. E. coli is typically spread through the consumption of food or water which has been contaminated with human or animal feces carrying E. coli bacteria.
The directors of the nursery, Lisa and Stewart Bennet, report that the cause of contamination “has been identified as an external source” and assure parents and teachers alike, “we are working with Public Health Scotland to get the nursery back up and running as quick as possible.”
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/ecoli-prevention.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-61521226
