Health Law

E. Coli O157:H7 Illnesses Close Daycare in UK

By Marler Clark

The majority of the E. coli O157:H7 cases we pursue involve the consumption of contaminated food or drink.   It is possible though, for E. coli O157:H7 to be transmitted from person to person, through fecal-oral transmission.   Such transmission is more likely in a day-care settings. 

BBC news is reporting on the closure of the "Going Places Day Nursery" in the UK after 3 children fell ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections.  One child is hospitalized.

The apparent link between these E. coli O157:H7 infections and the day-care do not rule out contaminated food or drink as the source.  Food or drink served at the day-care may be the source.   It is also possible, though, that the illness was spread among ill children.  A third possibility is that illnesses can be attributed both to contaminated food (in one or more primary illnesses) followed by person-to-person (secondary) illnesses. 

The nursery says "an inspection had shown no links to the nursery kitchen "or any of our procedures".

Marler Clark has previously represented the families of children that developed E. coli O157:H7 infections in day-care settings.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on August 26, 2009 (boomark / email).