Eight patients are now hospitalized in the Appalachian Fair Tennessee E. coli outbreak, according to news reports. Dr. David Kirschke, medical director of the Northeast Regional Health Office updated the outbreak on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Those patients either visited the fair as part of an elementary school field trip, or had contact with some of those children. Four of those hospitalized are seriously ill with complications. E. coli can be passed person-to-person, as well as through contact with animals who carry the pathogen, and eating contaminated food. It's also possible that E. coli in feces may be on the children's shoes. Then when they get home, the pathogens are transferred to rugs and carpets. At the fair, children allegedly had contact with farm animals. Ruminant … [Read more...]
Seven Children Sick in Tennessee Fair E. coli Outbreak
There are seven children sick and hospitalized in the Tennessee fair E. coli outbreak, and four children remain hospitalized more than two weeks later, according to news reports. Elementary classes from Sullivan county and Washington county visited the fair. The children took part in a school event, when elementary school kids visited an animal exhibit at the Appalachian Fairgrounds on September 26 and September 27, 2023. The pathogen that sickened these children is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The serovar was not named. Dr. David Kirschke, Regional Medical Officer for the Northeast Regional Health Office issued a statement. It reads, "The Northeast Regional Health Office and the Sullivan County Health Department are investigating cases of illness caused by … [Read more...]
Wyoming Raw Milk Outbreak Sickens Four Children, One Adult
A Wyoming raw milk outbreak has sickened at least four children and one adult, according to news reports and the Wyoming Department of Health. The patients are sick with either E. coli or Campylobacter infections. Two children have been hospitalized. The raw milk was purchased through the Slow Food in the Tetons online market on either September 14 or September 21, 2023. Public health officials have traced the illnesses to the consumption of raw milk or raw milk products. The state did not identify the seller at this time. The patients live in Teton and Lincoln counties. Slow Food in the Tetons executive Director Scott Steen told the Jackson Hole News & Guide that the nonprofit organization stopped product sales after they were told about these illnesses. A press release from … [Read more...]
Children Sick With E. coli After Fair Visit in 2 Tennessee Counties
There are elementary school children sick with E. coli infections in two Tennessee counties after they visited a local fair and had contact with animals in an exhibit there, according to news reports. The Northeast Regional Health Office is investigating this outbreak, which includes children from Sullivan and Washington counties. We do not know how many children are sick, if any have been hospitalized, or if any have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. That Office's Regional Medial Officer, Dr. David Kirschke, said in a statement, "The Northeast Regional Health Office and the Sullivan County Health Department are investigating several cases of illness caused by Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) among elementary school children in … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Sickens Nine Students in IL
The Huntley High School E. coli outbreak has now sickened nine students in Illinois, according to news reports. That is an increase of three more patients since the outbreak was announced on September 17, 2023. That high school is located at 13719 Harmony Road in Huntley. The outbreak has not been solved. Officials are looking at responses to a survey sent out to students and their families, asking about exposures before the outbreak began. The McHenry County Health Department issued a press release about the outbreak on September 21, 2023. The confirmed outbreak is caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria, which can cause serious illness. One of the complications of this infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that is a type of kidney failure. There are no … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Outbreak Sickens Six Students in Illinois
A confirmed Huntley High School E. coli outbreak has sickened at least six students in that school in Illinois, according to the McHenry County Department of Health. The Huntley Community School District 158 is working with the health department to respond to the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak. That school is located at 13719 Harmony Road in Huntley. The first illness was identified on Sunday, September 17, 2023. At this time, officials do not know the source of the illnesses. The county is actively monitoring for potential cases, since E. coli is a reportable condition, and there are no other known cases in McHenry County outside of the school outbreak. School officials sent a letter to parents, students, and staff, telling them that they are taking the situation … [Read more...]
Fueling Minds Kitchen Calgary E. coli Outbreak Critical Violations
Critical violations have been found at the Fueling Minds Kitchen, which supplied food to daycare centers in Calgary, Alberta, that are experiencing a huge E. coli outbreak, according to news reports. At least 264 people are sick with lab-confirmed cases, 25 remain hospitalized, and 22 have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Several patients have required dialysis. Officials say that this is the largest E. coli outbreak in that province. The inspection report filed after officials went to Fueling Minds Kitchen found several critical violations including the presence of live and dead roaches. The report states that "significant evidence of a pest infestation was found at this food establishment." Two live adult cockroaches were seen on the … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak at Six Calgary Daycare Centers Sickens 128
An E. coli outbreak at six Calgary, Alberta daycare centers has sickened at least 128 people, according to Alberta Health Services and news reports. Since AHS last released an update on September 4, 2023, five more daycare centers located in that city in Canada have been added. As of September 7, 2023, 25 children are hospitalized. Nine patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and three children have been discharged from the hospital. The facilities identified by Alberta Health Services, which are all located in Calgary, have been issued a closure order. They are: Fueling Brains Braeside Fueling Brains West 85th Fueling Brains New Brighton Fueling Brains Centennial Fueling Brains Bridgeland Fueling Brains McKnight Braineer Academy Kidz Space Little Oak … [Read more...]
Healthy Harvest Farm Raw Milk Outbreak in MN Sickens at Least 8
A Healthy Harvest Farm raw milk outbreak in Minnesota has sickened at least eight people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Eight people are sick with cryptosporidiosis and one patient has cryptosporidiosis and an E. coli O111:48 infection at the same time. Healthy Harvest Farm and Kitchen is located in Hillman, Minnesota. Officials are urging anyone who bought milk from that farm to discard it and not drink it. The milk may be labeled as "natural A2 milk," and consumers may not be aware that the milk is unpasteurized, or raw. The people who are sick with Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite commonly found in cattle, have related subtypes, suggesting a common source. All of those who are ill with this pathogen started getting sick in early August. They all … [Read more...]
University of Arkansas E. coli Outbreak Sickens 42, Hospitalizes 4
The University of Arkansas E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 42 people and hospitalized four, according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The agency said that the outbreak seems to be past its peak, since no new patients have reported symptoms since August 25, 2023. As part of their investigation, the ADH sent a survey to people in northwest Arkansas and received 3,200 responses. So far, 37 patients are probable cases based on reported symptoms, while five patients are confirmed cases with positive test results. It has been reported that five patients were hospitalized. But the ADH stated that a previous hospitalization has been ruled out as part of the outbreak. Two patients remain in the hospital as of August 31, 2023. So far, officials do not know what may … [Read more...]
