E.coli infects two more children
A primary school in Bristol has been hit by an outbreak of E.coli
Two more cases of E.coli have been confirmed at a primary school by the Health Protection Agency.
Redfield Edge Primary School in Bristol was closed on May 20 when three pupils became ill.
The agency earlier confirmed five cases at the school but has now increased the total to seven. Of the three children admitted to hospital for treatment, one remains there. The other four pupils have been recovering at home.
Milder symptoms have been reported among pupils at other primary schools in the area but the agency said none of them indicate a link to Redfield Edge.
Last week parents of 40 pupils at Redfield Edge school reported mostly milder symptoms in their children, such as stomach ache and diarrhoea, although some reported more severe symptoms.
The agency said all affected children are being tested for E.coli O157. It still does not know what the source of the infection is.
Cases of diarrhoea and vomiting have been reported at neighbouring schools St Barnabas Primary in Warmley and Sir Bernard Lovell School in Oldland Common.
"Testing is under way, and currently there is no indication that these are linked to Redfield Edge but we are keeping the situation under close review. At any time of year we would expect to see a variety of gastrointestinal bugs, such as norovirus, causing some milder illness in school settings."
An incident team comprising communicable disease experts from the Health Protection Agency, public health officials from NHS South Gloucestershire and environmental health officers from South Gloucestershire Council is looking at any common links between the children to try to find a source for the outbreak.
A decision will be made next week on whether Redfield Edge Primary School can reopen to children after half-term week on Tuesday June 7, the agency said. It has advised parents worried about a child's symptoms to contact their GP.
