The investigation covers visits to Brookshire Farms from Oct. 16 through Oct. 26. Visitors who develop gastrointestinal symptoms should contact a health care provider, according to Food Safety News. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and may begin three to 10 days after exposure, ABC News reported.
San Luis Obispo County health officials have confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection: two adults and three children. All five patients visited Brookshire Farms. The children were seriously ill and receiving care in a pediatric intensive care unit, ABC News reported. Officials are investigating the visits as a possible connection, but have not confirmed where or how the infections occurred.
What investigators still need to establish
The county is gathering visitor information and examining possible exposures connected to visits from Oct. 16 through Oct. 26, USA TODAY reported. Investigators have not determined whether the illnesses are linked to contaminated food, water, animal contact or another source. ABC News reported that additional cases could be identified as the investigation continues.
The farm's closure plans
KSBY reported that Brookshire Farms voluntarily closed during the investigation. Separately, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported that the farm said it would stay closed for the rest of the pumpkin season while awaiting county test results. Officials have not announced whether or when it will reopen.
The California Department of Public Health says children younger than 10 face the highest risk of complications from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The agency lists decreased urination, extreme fatigue and loss of color in the cheeks or lower eyelids as warning signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a possible complication. The county investigation is ongoing.
Animal-contact outbreaks in context
A CDC article estimates illnesses linked to animal contact for seven pathogens around 2019, according to CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Visitor precautions and how investigations work
As general precautionary guidance, 10News’ summary of CDC recommendations advises washing hands after touching animals or exhibit areas, preferably with soap and running water. Germs can also spread from surfaces around exhibits, the report says. These precautions do not indicate an exposure route in the Brookshire Farms investigation. CDC says investigators typically assess outbreak hypotheses by combining environmental evidence, laboratory science and epidemiology; that describes general practice, not steps confirmed in the Brookshire Farms investigation. In a separate 2004 North Carolina State Fair investigation, the USDA Agricultural Research Service reported 108 cases, including 41 laboratory-confirmed illnesses and 15 HUS cases, and described evidence linking illness to a contaminated petting-zoo area. That finding has not been established in the Brookshire Farms investigation. Sources: 10News; CDC Principles of Epidemiology; USDA Agricultural Research Service.
