Food watchdog urges creches to guard against spread of E.coli

Ireland’s food safety watchdog is urging creches to guard against the spread of E.coli following an increase in the prevalence of the potentially deadly bacteria in the community.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said there were 285 cases of E.coli recorded last year by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, compared to 199 in 2010.

The FSAI is particularly concerned at the impact the infection can have on young children and babies.

FSAI chief executive Alan Reilly said there were nine outbreaks of E.coli infection in children attending creches or being cared for at home by childminders.

“This involved some 75 children and adults becoming ill, with seven being hospitalised,” he said.

Mr Reilly said the increase in the prevalence of the infection was worrying. “Washing hands is the single most important way to stop the spread of these E.coli,” he said.

“Young children should be helped to wash and dry their hands, as they find it difficult to do this properly. Babies need to have their hands washed as often as older children. Hands should be washed after using the toilet, after changing nappies, and before eating or preparing foods.”

Most E.coli bacteria are harmless, but some types are extremely harmful and can cause severe stomach pains and bloody diarrhoea.

It some cases, the infection can result in kidney failure and death.

The FSAI has published a leaflet — E coli: How to Protect the Children in Your Care — that is free on www.fsai.ie or from the authority’s advice line (1890 336677).

Irene Gunning, chief executive of Early Childhood Ireland, welcomed the leaflet and call to prevent the spread of E.coli in childcare settings.

“We will do everything we can to back up their call for childcare workers and creche owners to ensure they have robust hygiene practices in place to reduce the incidence of this potentially life-threatening bug,” she said.

Meanwhile, scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered multiple gene switches in salmonella that offer new ways to stop human infection.

Jay Hinton, professor of microbial pathogenesis at TCD, who made the breakthrough, said understanding how salmonella switches on its genes should aid the discovery of new antibiotics that will knock out its weapon systems and stop it causing infection.