The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is investigating an outbreak of seven confirmed cases of E. coli and two cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Patients sickened in this outbreak range in age from 2 to 25. Six of the seven patients recently visited the Oak Leaf Dairy Farm, a goat farm in Lebanon, Connecticut. The farm is not open for animal visits as a precaution. DPH Commissioner Paul Pino said in a statement, "earlier today, DPH was informed of several patients from Southeastern Connecticut who have become ill with E. coli. We are closely monitoring the situation and working with our partners at the CDC and other relevant stakeholders. We will continue to work diligently to provide the public with the information it needs as we investigate. We strongly encourage … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak in Windham, Willimantic CT Sickens 7
An E.coli outbreak in Windham CT has sickened seven people, two of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a complication of some E.coli infections that leads to kidney failure. Winham is located in the north central part of the state, about 28 miles from Hartford. Officials from the North Central District Health Department told WFSB news that they believe those who were sickened were exposed to the bacteria between mid and late December. A source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. E.coli poisoning occurs when microscopic amounts of fecal matter are ingested. Sometimes this is from a food handler with poor hygiene, sometimes it is from contact with animals at petting zoos or sometimes contaminated food is sold at grocery stores or farmers' markets. Symptoms of an … [Read more...]
