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By Steven Frank
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Three children were reported in intensive care with serious E.coli infections as health officials investigate cases potentially linked to pumpkin farms in California and Illinois, raising concerns for families visiting popular fall attractions just ahead of Halloween.
In California, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli, or STEC, and said it was investigating a potential link to Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo. The county has not determined the source of the infections.
The five cases involve two adults and three children. Tom Cuddy, spokesperson for the county health department, told SFGATE that the children were being treated in a pediatric intensive care unit in serious condition.
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Brookshire Farms, which features a pumpkin patch, corn maze and other fall attractions, voluntarily closed while health officials investigated. The farm said it would remain closed for the remainder of the pumpkin season while awaiting test results.
"We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community," County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin said. "We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E.coli infection to seek immediate medical attention."
Officials urged people who visited Brookshire Farms from October 16 to October 26 and later developed gastrointestinal symptoms to contact a healthcare provider. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and typically appear three to 10 days after exposure.
Illinois Pumpkin Farm Cases Investigated
The California investigation follows a separate cluster of STEC infections potentially connected to Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen, Illinois.
The Will County Health Department said it was investigating five confirmed cases that may be linked to visits to the farm. Four of the five patients were hospitalized, and at least three had been discharged, The Herald-News reported, citing county officials. The patients ranged in age from 4 to 38.
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Bengtson's closed its petting zoo as a precaution while keeping the rest of the farm open, including its rides, attractions, food stands and vendors, according to NBC Chicago. The farm said health officials had not determined where or how the infections occurred.
The farm also said it was arranging for its animals to be tested as investigators examined possible sources of exposure.
STEC can spread through contaminated food or water, contact with animals or contaminated surfaces, or contact with someone who is infected, according to health officials.
How to Keep Children Safe
Health officials recommend several precautions for families visiting farms, petting zoos and other attractions where children may encounter animals.
Will County health officials recommend washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals or anything in their environment. Visitors should avoid touching their mouths or eating until their hands have been washed and should wash their hands before preparing or eating food.
Parents should also watch for symptoms after a potential exposure. STEC infections can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that can be bloody and vomiting.
One of the most serious possible complications is hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says HUS can lead to kidney failure and is most common among children younger than 5 who have diarrhea.
Warning signs of HUS include decreased or no urination, unusual paleness, unexplained bruising or tiny red spots, blood in the urine, extreme tiredness or irritability and decreased alertness. The CDC advises people with signs of HUS to seek emergency medical care.
Families whose children develop symptoms after visiting a farm or animal attraction should tell their healthcare provider about the visit and possible animal exposure.
Texas Fair Cases Also Investigated
The two pumpkin farm investigations come as health officials in Texas examine a separate cluster of E.coli cases involving people who visited the State Fair of Texas.
Dallas County health officials were investigating whether the infections were connected to the fair, where a petting zoo was among the animal attractions. At least two parents told Fox 4 that their children had been hospitalized, while Children's Medical Center Dallas said it had seen an increase in E.coli cases.
Officials had not established the fair or its petting zoo as the source.
The State Fair of Texas said it did not have verified information establishing the cause of the illnesses and said its animal exhibits had precautions intended to reduce the risk of infection.
The cases have also renewed debate over safety at animal-contact attractions. Food safety attorney Bill Marler, who has represented people sickened in outbreaks associated with fairs and petting zoos, has called for stricter requirements, including access to soap and running water, permits for animal-contact exhibits and restrictions on young children's direct contact with some animals.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins
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