Popular San Luis Obispo pumpkin patch closes after E. coli outbreak coli

Popular California pumpkin patch linked to E. coli that sent three children to intensive care has ended the remainder of its Halloween season.

Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo County announced it will remain closed until the end of the pumpkin season as health officials investigate five confirmed cases of E. coli. Shiga toxin-producing coli linked to farm visits.

The closure comes after three infected children were hospitalized in serious condition in a pediatric intensive care unit, according to the county Department of Public Health.

The farm initially closed voluntarily Tuesday before announcing Wednesday it would remain closed pending test results from county health officials.

“We are awaiting test results from the county health department,” the farm said in a social media post. “Until then, there is nothing to comment on. »

“We have chosen to remain closed for the remainder of the pumpkin season until testing results are determined.”

County health officer Christy Mulkerin told KSBY that all five patients were infected with a strain of E. coli. coli which “can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting, then cause kidney disease and sometimes kidney failure in young children.”

Although investigators have not yet identified the exact source of the outbreak, all five infected people had visited Brookshire Farms, officials said.

“We know there is a connection that these people all went to Brookshire Farms, but we are still investigating exactly how they may have gotten sick,” Mulkerin said.

The farm owner said Brookshire Farms is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Health officials are urging anyone who visited the pumpkin patch between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 to watch for symptoms, especially gastrointestinal issues such as severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea.

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Symptoms typically appear three to 10 days after exposure, and young children face an increased risk of serious complications.

“We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and has symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention,” Mulkerin said.

The department also issued safety guidelines for handling pumpkins, urging visitors to clean pumpkins before handling them and remove dirt and debris.

“Next, wash all touched surfaces with a disinfectant such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar water and dry them thoroughly,” he adds.

People who carve pumpkins should avoid touching them after carving, wash their hands, and thoroughly clean all surfaces touched by pumpkins before disposing of them. Officials also stressed the importance of washing hands with soap and water after handling pumpkins.

The investigation continues and results from tests conducted at the farm are expected to take several days.

The California Post has contacted Brookshire Farms and the county health department for additional comment.