Brookshire Farms reopens after E. coli outbreak linked to five cases
Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo County reopened after a 10-day closure following an E. coli outbreak that sickened five visitors, three of whom were children in intensive care.
San Luis Obispo County health officials confirmed that an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 was linked to Brookshire Farms, resulting in five confirmed cases, including three children requiring intensive care. The farm voluntarily closed for ten days during peak pumpkin season and reopened on Friday, offering free leftover pumpkins to visitors.
Co-owner Shawn Callaway, a former firefighter, said the farm’s safety protocols include regular cleaning of restrooms, hand-washing and sanitizing stations, and that the property does not operate a petting zoo, a common source of similar outbreaks. He noted that the only common factor among the infected individuals was attendance at the farm, and he disputed claims that pumpkins were the source, stating that county officials did not test the pumpkins.
"Although it’s frustrating to not be able to pinpoint the exact source of the infection through environmental lab testing, this is not unexpected, and bacterial contamination is often temporary and difficult to detect through available sampling methods," county health officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin said in a news release.
Environmental testing at the farm detected other types of E. coli but not the specific O157 strain linked to the patients. Dr. Mulkerin later emphasized that the public should not fear pumpkins and clarified that the county did not intend to suggest pumpkins were the source of infection.
The county announced that the risk of further exposure had passed and that there was no ongoing public health threat. Brookshire Farms plans to remain open through the holiday season, beginning around Thanksgiving.