School E. coli probe widens again

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An investigation into an outbreak of the E. coli infection has been extended to a third nursery school.

Pupils and staff at Brooklands Nursery in Dundonald are being offered screening after a child was identified as having a probable case of the bug.

It is believed the child in question has links to an earlier case in another nursery.

The E. coli outbreak was first identified at Ravenscroft Nursery in east Belfast.

Pupils at the Cathedral Nursery in the west of the city were also screened after some of them visited Ravenscroft.

Dr Lourda Geoghegan from the Eastern Health Board said the latest screening is a "precautionary measure".

"We are advising that the risk to children and staff at Brooklands is low," she said.

"However, we are adopting a very cautious and precautionary approach with regard to public health action."