Child affected by E-coli at Oldham nursery

A nursery has been closed in Manchester after an outbreak of E-coli left one child seriously ill.

Health chiefs closed Ambrose Nook nursery in Oldham, Greater Manchester after seven children and one member of staff contracted the infection.

One child is in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury. The other children and adult are either symptom free or recovering at home.

The nursery was closed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) after six initial cases were confirmed. After further tests, another child and one adult tested positive. All of the 90 children and staff were checked in an attempt to prevent further illnesses developing, the nursery was closed.

An incident team including the HPA, Oldham Councils Environmental Health Department, Oldham Primary Care Trust and microbiologists are investigating the outbreak.

Parents were told about the situation when they collected their children from the nursery on Friday, 11 May. They were given a leaflet on E-coli 0157 with information on symptoms and advice on how to control the infection.

E-coli solicitor - victims could be entitled to compensation

This outbreak comes as more cases of e-coli are confirmed following the outbreak in West Yorkshire which has been linked to Spaul's Butchers in Cottingley. Twenty five people are thought to have contracted this illness with two adults requiring hospital treatment. In that case the butchers is closed whilst the Health Protection Agency investigate the cause of the outbreak.

Sallie Booth, a partner at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors who is handling the food poisoning cases relating to contamination of Cadburys chocolate said:-

The health consequences of e-coli infection can be very serious. Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Schools and nurseries are required to have rigorous health and safety procedures in place. If it is the case that the procedures at Ambrose Nook Nursery were not adequately enforced, there may be criminal liability and the children and staff who have been affected may be entitled to compensation to cover their losses and expenses.

If you or a loved one has suffered food poisoning due to poor hygiene standards, our illness compensation lawyers could help you claim compensation. Visit our Food Poisoning Claims page for more information.