CHILDREN and staff at an Anglesey nursery are being tested for E. coli after one child was diagnosed with the disease.
Three other children who attend the nursery, which has not been named, and two adults linked to the nursery, have also been unwell.
Nobody has been hospitalised but the nursery has been closed as a precaution.
Dr Chris Whiteside, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said the disease can easily spread around nurseries and schools and can result in severe consequences.
“It is important that all children attending the nursery are tested, “ he said.
“No children or staff will be allowed to attend the nursery until they have received two negative tests for E. coli O157 taken at least 48 hours apart.”
“People can become infected with E. coli O157 by eating contaminated food, or through contact with infected people, farm animals or contaminated water.
“The infection can also pass from person to person and so it is important that anyone who is ill should observe strict personal hygiene to avoid spreading the infection.
“Symptoms of E. coli O157 range from mild diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever to bloody diarrhoea.
“The incubation period can range from one to 14 days, but is usually three to four days, and people with E. coli O157 are usually ill for up to two weeks.”
A spokesman for Public Health Wales added: “Parents are being kept fully informed and have been asked to collect stool samples from their children as soon as possible.”