30.10.2014
Reports suggest two children have been taken to hospital and officers from Public Health England and environmental health are now investigating the cases of E. coli O157, with a further two ‘probable’ cases expected to be confirmed.
A spokeswoman for Public Health England has confirmed the nursery will be closed to children until those given the all clear begin to return, however an employee is reported to have told a reported on 28 October 2014 that the nursery was open.
Grainne Nixon, nurse consultant in Health Protection from the Cumbria and Lancashire PHE Centre said: “Investigations are still on going and all public health measures are being put in place to help prevent further infection.”
Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and specialist illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:
PHE Investigating Cause Of Infection
Lawyers with experience helping victims of illness outbreaks in the UK and abroad have revealed concerns regarding reports of a suspected E. coli outbreak linked to the Little Brook Children’s Nursery in Great Harwood, Lancashire.Reports suggest two children have been taken to hospital and officers from Public Health England and environmental health are now investigating the cases of E. coli O157, with a further two ‘probable’ cases expected to be confirmed.
A spokeswoman for Public Health England has confirmed the nursery will be closed to children until those given the all clear begin to return, however an employee is reported to have told a reported on 28 October 2014 that the nursery was open.
Grainne Nixon, nurse consultant in Health Protection from the Cumbria and Lancashire PHE Centre said: “Investigations are still on going and all public health measures are being put in place to help prevent further infection.”
Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and specialist illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:
Expert Opinion
Very little known is known so far regarding this suspected outbreak, but it is worrying to hear that two children have been hospitalised, particularly as E. coli can have a severe impact on young people.
"It is vital that Public Health England and environmental health officers work together to quickly determine the cause of this outbreak, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that staff, children and worried parents can be given reassurances regarding safety.
"Through our work on behalf of victims of illness outbreaks both in the UK and abroad, including those affected by E. coli, we have seen the serious impact that such issues can have. The bacterial infection can in some cases lead to long-term health problems, such as kidney failure, from which the victims may never fully recover.
“It is vital that lessons are learned which should help to prevent issues of this nature from emerging in the future." Amandeep Dhillon - Partner
Key Contact
Press Contact