A TODDLER is receiving treatment at home in Fife to combat the potentially deadly E. coli 0157 bug, NHS Fife bosses have confirmed.

The girl from west Fife, who has not been named, was said yesterday by the health authority to be doing well.

She has attended two mother and toddler groups in west Fife and a nursery in Edinburgh, however there is no indication the infection has spread to other youngsters at these groups.

However, parents at the groups have been alerted and letters are being sent out to them with advice about E. coli 0157.

Dr Jackie Hyland, one of NHS Fife’s public health consultants, said, “Our initial investigations have not so far found anyone else to be infected.

“No obvious source of the bug has been identified.”

Dr Hyland warned the bug is easily spread and said symptoms can include diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting, stomach pain and fever.

“By taking some simple precautions people can help reduce the risk of catching the infection,” she added.

“Careful hand-washing, especially before eating, after using the toilet and before and after handling food, is one of the most effective ways to avoid the infection.”

The incubation period for E. coli O157 is usually between one to 14 days.

E. coli is a germ that normally lives in the gut of every healthy person.

There are a few types of E. coli, however, including E. coli 0157, which are unhealthy and can cause the symptoms mentioned by Dr Hyland.

The symptoms may only last for a few days and may not all be present.

They can be brought on by swallowing the unhealthy type of E. coli germ through eating or drinking contaminated food, milk or water.