Local childcare facility closed by HSE after outbreak of deadly e-coli bug VTEC
By Mary Dennehy
A SOUTH Dublin County childcare facility was forced to close this week after an outbreak of a deadly e-coli bug called VTEC.
The Echo understands that the crèche was closed by the HSE after two children were diagnosed with Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), a serious form of gastroenteritis that can cause diarrhoea, which may be bloody, vomiting, nausea, and high temperature.
After the facility was closed, the HSE’s multidisciplinary Outbreak Control Team commenced an investigation that saw all children and staff submitting a stool sample - a number of which have tested positive for VTEC.
As a result, all children and staff must undergo a second stool sample, with only those with two negative tests allowed to return to crèche – after the premises is decontaminated.
When contacted by The Echo, a spokeswoman for the HSE said: “The HSE is aware of and is actively investigating an outbreak of VTEC in a crèche in the Dublin region.
“As part of the ongoing management of this outbreak all staff and children attending the childcare facility have been asked to submit stool samples for laboratory testing.
“The staff and children are not attending the facility while this process is under way.
“Children or staff who have VTEC bacteria in their bowel motions will not be allowed back into crèches or other childminding centres until they are free of infection because of the risk of infecting others.”
According to the HSE, VTEC can spread in a number of ways including contact with infected animals, contaminated soil, water or certain foods.
VTEC bacteria can also be passed from one person to another if hygiene or hand-washing habits are inadequate, which, according to the HSE, is particularly likely among toddlers who are not toilet trained.
When asked about its effect on people, the HSE said: “VTEC bacteria can produce a serious form of gastroenteritis in humans”
“Its most serious complication is Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome [which impacts on the kidneys] which occurs in up to 10 per cent of cases.”
The HSE said that it is typically notified of around 100 cases of VTEC in the Dublin/Kildare/Wicklow area each year. Any parents or childcare provider that would like to learn more about VTEC is encouraged to visit the Health Protection Surveillance Centre at http://www.hpsc.ie
