Unveiling the Alert: Detecting E-Coli Symptoms Post Nursery Outbreak

Unveiling the Alert: Detecting E-Coli Symptoms Post Nursery Outbreak

The Public Health Agency is investigating and managing an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) associated with a nursery in Belfast.

Symptoms

The PHA said most people get better within five to seven days. Treatment involves drinking plenty of fluids as vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. Antibiotics should not be used as there is no evidence that they are helpful to treat STEC infections and they may increase the risk of complications. Rarely, symptoms may be severe or even life-threatening causing Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) which may occur up to two weeks after the start of the diarrhoea. If your symptoms do not go away or you develop easy bruising, feel you are passing less urine than usual or your urine is pink/brown in colour please urgently seek medical advice as these symptoms could indicate the start of HUS and you may need further tests.

Staying away from work or school/nursery

You should stay away from work/school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others. For some people, this time may be longer and further samples may be needed because of the higher chance of spreading the infection to others or spreading it to people who may be more likely to develop severe illness.

Children aged five years and under (up to sixth birthday)

A PHA leaflet says although rare, the risk of HUS is highest in children aged five years and under. Some children aged five years and under have also been shown to continue to pass STEC in their poo for longer than adults, sometimes for many weeks or even months. For these reasons, children aged five years and under may need to stay away (be excluded) from childcare settings until their poo samples are clear of the infection. If there are other children aged five years and under in the household, they may also be excluded, whether they have symptoms or not, until poo samples show that they have not picked up the infection.