Further possible cases of E.coli infection are being investigated in children attending a Cork crèche where one case has already been confirmed.
The HSE told parents of children attending First Steps in Midleton the infection is now being treated as “an outbreak investigation” following reports of diarrhoeal illnesses in more babies.
The HSE received official confirmation of the first case on Wednesday. It is understood a baby tested positive. On foot of this, all 85 children and 15 staff who attend the Mill Rd crèche must now be tested.
Yesterday the HSE distributed kits to parents for collection of two stool samples. The samples will have to be microbiologically tested at the National VTEC (Verotoxigenic E.coli) reference laboratory in Dublin. In the meantime, the parents have been warned by the HSE that their child should not attend any childcare facility until both samples test clear of infection.
Staff have also been asked to refrain from working with children.
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