Five E. coli cases linked to San Luis Obispo farm, officials say
San Luis Obispo public health officials confirmed five Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections among visitors to Brookshire Farms and urged anyone who was there between Oct. 16-26 and shows symptoms to seek medical care.
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, involving two adults and three children who had visited Brookshire Farms in central California. The department said the patients visited the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 and are now experiencing symptoms such as abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea.
"We are working to determine whether other people may have been exposed and encourage anyone who visited Brookshire Farms during the suspected exposure period and develops symptoms to immediately contact their healthcare provider," public information officer Tom Cuddy said.
Brookshire Farms, which offers a pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides in the fall, is cooperating with investigators and has temporarily closed while the source of the outbreak is examined. Health officials have asked anyone who was at the farm during the specified dates and is experiencing symptoms to contact a healthcare provider and to cooperate with any follow-up inquiries.
The CDC notes that while most E. coli strains are harmless, Shiga toxin-producing varieties can cause severe illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure. Children under age 10 are considered at highest risk for complications. The laboratory is testing to identify the specific strain involved.