The number of confirmed cases of E. coli in an outbreak connected to an Aberdeenshire nursery has risen to seven, including three adults and four children; a further four children are suspected cases.

The outbreak centres on the Rose Lodge Nursery School in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, where the first suspected case emerged last Sunday.

NHS Grampian’s health protection team is investigating the source of the outbreak.

An additional six cases of E. coli O157 are now suspected in children at a nursery in Scotland, as one of the three hospitalized children has been released.

The Scottish Sun reports infection experts are trying to track down the source of the sickness and diarrhoa outbreak which hit the under-twos section at Rose Lodge Nursery in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

NHS Grampian said health protection teams found “reasonable” food hygiene and infection control at the unit.

Owner Julie Grant said: “We have taken the advice to close our Baby Room until further notice.

“The nursery remains open to unaffected families of children over two years old.

“We have a high standard of hygiene and rigorous infection control procedures. Our thoughts are with the children and families affected.”