A child who attended a Fredericton day-care centre has been sent to hospital in Halifax with an E. coli infection, public health officials said Thursday.

The four-year-old girl is reportedly in stable condition and improving at the IWK Health Centre, which specializes in the care of children.

The Bright Beginnings day-care centre has been temporarily closed as investigators try to track the source of the infection.

Health officials said four other children and one parent also tested positive for the toxin produced by E. coli bacteria, but they suffered only mild symptoms.

Symptoms of E. coli include diarrhea, cramps and a mild fever. E. coli infections can be fatal, and young children, the elderly and chronically ill are particularly at risk.

Melissa LaRose, whose 16-month-old daughter has been going to Bright Beginnings for the past month, said she's concerned but believes things are being handled correctly.

"They're [taking] precautions as much as they can," said LaRose. "They've taken stool samples to make sure all children are up to par.

"It can be difficult to think about and know exactly what is taking place," she added, "but it's good they're doing everything that they can and they're informing us in every way."