A parent suspects her children have become ill after being exposed to Legionalla recently discovered in a school's water supply. 

Nightingale Primary School, in Ashbourne Avenue, has been closed since Monday afternoon after a routine inspection by Redbridge council revealed the potentially harmful bacteria in two outlets at the South Woodford school. 

Upon inhalation, the bacteria, commonly found in water systems, can cause Legionaires' disease or a mild flu-like illness called Pontiac fever. 

Other symptoms include fever, chills, and dry cough.

The school insists there have not been any reported illnesses caused by its water supply, but parent Saira Malik suspect otherwise as both her children, in nursery and year 5, have fallen ill. 

The 30-year-old of Woodford Bridge, said: "My kids have suffered terribly since November.

"My eldest has this cough that will not budge and is phlegming and bringing up blood. 

"Mothers are fuming. There is more to this than the council and school are letting on. 

"A lot of pupils have been ill and the school will put it down to 'Winter flu' but we need to know when the water was last inspected.

"I might not even send my kids back to school until I find out exactly from a GP if their illnesses are being linked."

The school said it has has been liaising with Public Health England (PHE) to eliminate any risk. 

Dr Simon Cathcart, team leader of PHE’s north London health protection team, said: "Legionella bacteria are widely distributed within the environment and are commonly found in artificial water sources such as water towers associated with cooling systems, domestic water systems and spa pools, and natural water sources such as rivers and streams.

"We are not aware of any cases of legionella infection linked to the school, however as a precaution treatment of the water system is being carried out to remove the bacteria and we will continue to work with the local authority to ensure the water is treated and made safe.

"The risk to staff and pupils is considered to be very low and most people exposed to water containing legionella do not become unwell."

Mother-of-three Jennifer Campbell, 44,  of Cadogan Gardens in South Woodford, has two daughters in years 1 and 3 at Nightingale Primary School and praised the school's handling of the issue. 

She said: "It is one of those things unfortunately that cannot be helped.

"The school acted responsibly and closed the doors immediately.   

"It is loosely inconvenient for me but I  know that it has been a nuisance for some working parents who have had to make alternative arrangements.

"In hindsight, it would have been brilliant if the inspection was carried out during half term."