Ten children in Iceland have been infected with a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
The affected children are from Mánagarð Kindergarten in Reykjavík’s Vesturbær district. More than 100 children visit the center.
PCR tests on fecal samples have detected infections, but results from bacterial cultures are awaiting confirmation. Landlaeknir (the Public Health Directorate) said it may take a few more days before these results are available.
The origin of the infections has not been confirmed, but officials suspect the source is food-related.
Symptoms vary in severity but mainly include diarrhea and bloody diarrhea. One child is seriously ill in intensive care.
Four of the children were at Barnaspitali Hringins, a children’s hospital, and another four were in the hospital’s emergency department for further assessment.
The preschool is temporarily closed while the incident is investigated.
A research team includes epidemiologists, doctors, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) and Matis, a government-owned research agency.
The Reykjavík Public Health Authority is conducting research to learn more about the potential food source and is advising the farm on cleaning.
Landlaeknir’s advice included careful hand washing and general hygiene, such as always washing hands thoroughly before and after eating.
If a child has mild or mild symptoms of an intestinal infection, contact the healthcare information center for further instructions. If they have severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weakness, contact the pediatric emergency department of Landspítala Hospital.
In 2023, 14 people in Iceland were diagnosed with a confirmed or possible E. coli infection. These were two children aged 1 and 11 years and 12 adults aged 22 to 86 years.
About E.coli infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of an E. coli infection should seek medical attention and inform their doctor of their possible food poisoning. Specific tests are needed to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other diseases.
The symptoms of E. coli infections vary from person to person, but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others may develop serious or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with an E. coli infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, decreased frequency of urination, minor unexplained bruising or bleeding, and paleness.
Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injury or death. This condition can occur in people of any age, but is most common in children under five years of age due to their immature immune systems, in older adults due to a deteriorating immune system, and in people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients.
People who experience HUS symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. People with HUS are likely to be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and persistent problems, such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurological problems.
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