PUBLIC health officials investigating an E coli outbreak in Dorset have informed parents of a possible further case involving a child at Blandford Children’s Centre.

The children’s centre only recently reopened after several children that attended there fell ill with the V055 strain of E coli.

Tests on all nursery users and staff then revealed a further eight people who have not suffered any symptoms but who have been found to be carrying the bacteria.

The nursery was thoroughly cleaned and only children and staff that had tested negative for E coli were allowed to return.

However, Public Health England (PHE) said that a child who originally tested negative for E coli has now displayed symptoms of the infection and could be a possible further case.

PHE also confirmed it had not yet found any common link between the 13 people who have been ill with E coli since July.