Galway creche closed as two children hospitalised with E. coli

A Co Galway creche has been closed after two children fell ill with E. coli.

Both of the children were hospitalised after becoming sick. The Dun Beag creche in Breanra, Dunmore was closed to help prevent the spread of the infection, reports The Irish Independent. Manager Jane Glynn confirmed that a staff member also contracted E. coli. The creche has closed and is co-operating with the HSE to investigate the outbreak, she said. "At this stage all we are concerned about is the welfare of the children and staff. "We are awaiting test results and are following the HSE's guidelines." The boy and girl, who are both aged two, were initially taken to University Hospital Galway suffering with dehydration and exhaustion. They have been transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital, where they were placed on dialysis. The outbreak is believed to have been caused by Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (Vtec), a strain of the bacteria that can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea and high temperature. Complications of this strain can bring about kidney failure. People with weaker immune systems, such as young children, are especially vulnerable to the bacteria. E. coli can be spread via contaminated food or water and from person-to-person. The HSE warned of an increase in E. coli caused by Vtec earlier this month, with three times as many cases reported in a ten day period compared to the same period last year.   Main image via iStock.