Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 outbreak associated with likely transmission in an inflatable home paddling pool in England, June 2017.

In June 2017, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 infection with phage type 21/28 and identical genotypic profiles involving three children from Staffordshire was reported. Two cases developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Person-to-person transmission via a shared inflatable home paddling pool was the most likely route of infection, following contamination by the first case. The source of infection in the first case was not identified. We recommend that individuals experiencing gastroenteritis should not bathe in paddling pools and that water should be changed at frequent intervals throughout the day to minimise the spread of infection.