Health and education bosses have launched an investigation after a young child in Forfar fell ill with a potentially dangerous strain of E.coli.
In a letter to parents, authorities confirmed the youngster, who attends Whitehills Nursery in the town, has the E.coli 0157 strain of the bacteria, which can lead to serious diarrhoea and illness.
Authorities have been unable to identify the source of the infection, though experts said there was only a “low risk” of it spreading.
The nursery remains open.
Public health experts have told parents to carefully monitor their children and to isolate them if there are any further cases of diarrhoea or vomiting.
Dr Jackie Hyland, NHS consultant in public health medicine, wrote to parents on May 19, confirming one of the nursery school pupils had become ill.
She said: “A child who attends Whitehills Nursery has confirmed E.coli 0157 infection.
“Although the risk of spread of infection is low, it is important to be alert for the signs and symptoms of illness in your child.
“If your child develops symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting you should not take your child to nursery or to any childcare setting where there are other children.”
The pre-school class is based in a large, purpose-built annexe at Whitehills Primary School.
The nursery class is registered for a maximum of 40 children, from the age of three to primary school age. More than 400 pupils attend the primary school.
Care Inspectorate staff graded the quality of care and support and the nursery school’s environment as very good after an inspection in April 2019.
E.coli is found in the gut and faeces of many animals, particularly cattle.
It can be contracted in a number of ways, including eating contaminated food, touching infected animals or through swimming in or drinking infected water.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, stomach pain/cramps, nausea and/or vomiting, and generally feeling/being unwell.
Rarely, it can lead to more serious complications. Young children and the elderly are the most vulnerable.
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: “Our health protection team is aware of and currently investigating a single confirmed case of E. coli O157 infection in a child who attends a nursery in Angus.
“Close contacts have been identified and appropriate advice has been given. A letter has been issued to parents of children at the nursery for information. The risk to the wider public is very low.
“We are working with colleagues from Angus Council education department and no specific source of infection for this case has been identified.”
An Angus Council spokesman said: “The nursery that the child attends has been open as normal today.
“We are working closely with NHS Tayside colleagues and have ensured appropriate advice is available to our parents and children. Our thoughts are with the family affected.”
