California pumpkin patch closes after five visitors are sickened with potentially deadly bacteria E. coli
A pumpkin patch in California has closed after five visitors were sickened with a potentially deadly bacteria.
The individuals, three children and two adults, have all tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, a dangerous strain which can cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting and, in serious cases, can trigger the potentially fatal condition sepsis.
Health officials say the children are seriously ill and are being treated in pediatric intensive care units. Their symptoms were not revealed.
All the patients had visited Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, about a two-hour drive north of Santa Barbara, between October 16 and 26.
Health officials in San Luis Obispo County announced the cases and said that the farm had closed voluntarily while they carried out an investigation into the source of the infections.
It was not clear whether the individuals were sickened by their visit to the farm. In a statement, Brookshire Farms assured the public that safety is their main concern.
‘We are waiting on the test results from the county health department. Until then there is nothing to comment on,’ they wrote on Facebook.
‘We have opted to remain closed for the remainder of the pumpkin season until test results have been determined,’ they added.
Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo (pictured) has voluntarily closed after five visitors were sickened with a potentially deadly bacteria (photo sourced via Yelp)
Health officials have previously warned that plants in farms, including pumpkins, can become contaminated with bacteria if they are irrigated with water contaminated with animal feces.
Health officials are advising anyone who visited the farm between October 16 and 26 and who is experiencing symptoms such as abdominal cramps or bloody diarrhea to contact their medical provider.
They also warned that children under the age of 10 years were at the highest risk of severe complications from the infection.
Health officials also urged anyone contacted during the investigation to cooperate and provide information that could help trace the source of the infections.
They said patients were sickened with the O157 E. coli strain, which raises the risk of patients developing and suffering from life-long kidney problems.
County Health Officer Dr Christy Mulkerin said in a statement: ‘We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community.
‘We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention.’
No further information was revealed, including the ages of the children and adults affected, their symptoms and whether they were known to each other. It was also not clear where in the farm they visited or whether they attended the pumpkin patch.
The Daily Mail has contacted Brookshire Farms for comment.
Brookshire Farms is a popular fall attraction in the area that hosts a pumpkin patch, corn maze and hay rides, among other activities.
E. coli can contaminate food and water and cause sickness.
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is a particularly dangerous strain that raises the risk of someone suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-long kidney complication, which affects about five to 10 percent of patients.
E.coli bacteria (pictured) is commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water, such as undercooked meat, raw milk, unpasteurized juice and leafy greens
Health officials in California have raised the alarm about a pumpkin patch (Stock image)
Early symptoms of an infection include abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever. In severe cases, patients also suffer from bloody diarrhea and dehydration, which, in rare cases, can be fatal.
Anyone can be infected with E. coli, but children under five years old, adults over 65 years old and people who have weakened immune systems are more at risk from the infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Roughly 75,000 to 90,000 Americans are infected with the O157:H7 strain of E. coli every year and about 100 die from the disease.
In healthy adults, an E. coli infection can resolve in a few days without treatment. In cases where symptoms persist, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection or put a patient on an intravenous drip to replace lost fluids.
To avoid infections, health officials advise people to wash their hands after contact with potentially contaminated animals or surfaces.
