A small number of children from the Angus area have been quarantined in hospital as investigations continue into an outbreak of E. coli O157.

NHS Tayside confirmed they had set aside what it describes as a "dedicated area" of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

A three-year-old girl from the area is understood to be seriously ill in a hospital in Glasgow and has received a blood transfusion.

The health board said patient confidentiality meant it was unable to disclose the total number of cases.

The Herald: NHS Tayside has paid out £83,000 on pest control over past two year, including at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee

But it is understood there as many as seven in the ward. Some are confirmed to have E.coli while others are suspected cases.

NHS Tayside reacted as some parents connected to the Peter Pan playgroup and Carlogie Primary School in Carnoustie which is at the centre of the latest outbreak, complained they were not getting enough information about what was happening.

Some parents have circulated unofficial information that as many as 25 children were ill at Ninewells, although many are believed to have been affected by the norovirus sickness bug.

It is understood the playgroup remains closed, but Angus Council announced on Sunday afternoon that Carlogie Primary and associated nursery would be open.

NHS Tayside said possible sources and routes of transmission were still being investigated - including a possible link with a national outbreak linked to the eating of gourmet cheese in which a three-year-old girl from Bearsden died and 21 other people have been infected.

The Herald:

The owner of Errington Cheese, the firm linked to the two month-long outbreak has said he has not seen any evidence his products were unsafe. NHS Tayside said that in response to information provided to parents, a number of children with symptoms have come forward.

"Many of these children have symptoms which are not related to E. coli, but for reassurance they are being assessed and parents are being provided with the appropriate advice," she said.

One mother who was at Ninewells said that one ward is full of children from Carlogie, with varying symptoms.

One Carlogie Primary parent said: "Lack of any information, I think every parent is worried, some of the children that attend this school have other underlying medical conditions which puts them more at risk."

The Herald:

NHS Tayside consultant in public health medicine Dr Jackie Hyland said: "This is an evolving situation. Members of the community are understandably concerned and have provided tremendous support in trying to minimise spread of infection and identify a possible source.

"The cases and contacts have now been identified and children should now be attending school or nursery unless they are symptomatic or have been formally excluded by the Health Protection Team.

"We are working very closely with our partners Angus Council, the local school and playgroup, to ensure everything has been done to prevent the spread of infection. This has included additional cleaning at those premises."

She said an Incident Management Team has been working hard to identify all those who might be at risk and ensure they received appropriate medical treatment and advice. clinicians.

"The community should be reassured that the risk to the general public remains low," she added.

Members of NHS Tayside’s Health Protection Team also visited Carnoustie Medical Practice on Monday to provide further reassurance to local parents and remind people that there is a dedicated helpline available every day between 8am and 10pm.

Angus Council told parents: "Please be reassured that Angus Council is liaising very closely with NHS Tayside and ensuring all infection control measures in line with current health protection guidance are in place. We will keep you fully informed of any further updates we receive from NHS Tayside."

The national E. coli investigation, led by Health Protection Scotland, has said cheese produced by South Lanarkshire-based Errington Cheese Ltd is the most likely source of the outbreak.