Cherrytrees nursery in Hawick temporarily closed following suspected E.coli outbreak affecting children

A nursery in the Scottish Borders is currently closed due to a suspected outbreak of E.coli O157.

Cherrytrees nursery in Hawick is closed temporarily and a number of children are affected, the health board confirmed.

NHS Borders health protection team are currently managing the probable outbreak and have asked that anyone who attends or works at the nursery, and who could have been exposed to the infection, to stay at home and be tested to help contain the spread of the illness.

The health board are directly in touch with anyone who may be affected and has advised that the nursery will reopen as soon as is practical.

Director of public health, Dr Tim Patterson said, “I want to reassure people that the measures we are taking are preventative in order to limit the spread of this infection.

“Symptoms of E.coli include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. If you or your child have attended Cherrytrees nursery since May 9 and develop any of these symptoms then call your GP – or NHS 24 on 111 if your GP surgery is closed – and let them know. They may arrange for your child to come to the BGH to have their stool and bloods checked. If your child is well you will be able to go home to wait for the results.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and staff of Cherrytrees in Hawick for their cooperation in this process.”

The NHS Inform website states that people usually notice symptoms three to four days after they have been infected, but symptoms can start any time between one and 14 days afterwards and can last up to two weeks.

Some people become infected but don’t develop symptoms.