Nursery children struck down with E.coli bacteria

Two children at a Surrey nursery are feared to be victims of potentially deadly E.coli.

Parents have been put on high alert by the Health Protection Agency and told to look for diarrhoeal symptoms.

Doctors have confirmed one case of E.coli O157, with the other thought "probable". Both children are under five. One is "stable" in hospital and said to be showing signs of improvement.

Part of the Pavilion Day Nursery in Sunbury-upon-Thames, which both children attend, has closed for investigation and "deep cleaning".

E.coli is a species of bacteria, types of which can cause stomach bugs or severe illness in young children, the elderly or those with weak immune systems. It can be picked up from undercooked meat, unpasteurised milk or people who fail to wash their hands after using the lavatory. The main symptom of E.coli O157 is diarrhoea.

The HPA has refused to confirm the children's gender or ages but said it was working with the local authority to uncover the cause of the outbreak.

A spokeswoman said: "Other children and staff who experienced diarrhoeal illness symptoms are being tested for E.coli as a precaution but so far no further cases have been confirmed."

Dr Kevin Carroll, consultant in communicable disease control at the Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit, said: "This infection can be passed very easily between people. The young are especially vulnerable to it and to complications which can arise from it, so we will remain vigilant concerning any other children showing symptoms."