Seven children in County Armagh have been infected with E. coli O157, the Public Health Agency has confirmed.
It is understood none of them are seriously ill. They all attend the same day nursery in the Lurgan area.
As a precaution the nursery school they are attending is closing temporarily until the source of the infection is identified.
Dr Neil Irvine from the Public Health Agency said, “All appropriate infection control measures are being taken.
“The nursery is co-operating fully with the PHA.”
Parents of children who attend the nursery have been contacted to advise them of the situation and what they should do. Parents are encouraged to contact their GP if their child develops diarrhoea.
“Locally, it is a surprise that an outbreak of E coli has taken place,” said SDLP councillor for the area, Mary McAlinden.
“I think it would be everybody’s priority to get to the bottom of what has happened.”
Symptoms normally develop after ingesting contaminated foods or liquids or having been in contact with infected animals.
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