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Nursery children ordered home after toddlers and staff develop 'mystery rash'

An investigation has been launched after an outbreak of a mystery illness at a nursery in Cambridgeshire (Reach)
An investigation has been launched after an outbreak of a mystery illness at a nursery in Cambridgeshire (Reach)

A nursery ordered children to be sent home, stripped and washed thoroughly after the outbreak of a mystery illness.

A number of staff and children reported being unwell at Kindred Huntingdon Day Nursery and Pre-School in Brampton, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday.

Children and staff at the nursery hit by the unknown illness developed a rash and a cough.

Parents were been notified and asked to collect their children so the nursery could close while an investigation took place.

Cambridgeshire Fire Service said it was working with the local health authority and the nursery to determine what the cause may have been and if any measures needed to be put in place to stop more people falling ill.

A witness on the scene said that parents were being called forward to collect their children.

Emergency serviices attended Kindred Huntingdon Day Nursery and Pre-School in Brampton, Cambridgeshire on Thursday afternoon (Reach)
Emergency serviices attended Kindred Huntingdon Day Nursery and Pre-School in Brampton, Cambridgeshire on Thursday afternoon (Reach)

They were told to take the children home, strip them and wash them thoroughly.

A witness said: "They are talking about body rashes."

Police closed off the road leading to the nursery, which has been rated Good by Ofsted and is part of the Kindred Nurseries group.

A call was made to emergency services just after 10am and a local authority health protection team attended soon after.

As part of a joint statement with the fire service, they reiterated that parents had been notified and the children were safe.

It is understood that 13 out of 68 people in the building had been displaying symptoms.

The local health authority is investigating the outbreak of the mystery illness (Reach)
The local health authority is investigating the outbreak of the mystery illness (Reach)

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The area was contained and air samples were taken.

A joint statement from Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service and Health Agency said: "We are currently dealing with an incident on Thrapston Road, Brampton and emergency services are present as a precaution.

"A small number of children and staff at a nursery are feeling unwell and have experienced some mild symptoms including a rash and cough.

"We are currently investigating the cause of this and as a precaution have emergency service staff on site.

"Parents have been notified and the children are safe and being looked after. We are working together with the nursery to determine what the cause may be and if any measures need to be put in place to stop any further instances happening.

"This is all precautionary whilst we investigate and there is no current identified risk to the wider community."

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