One person has died in an E. coli outbreak linked to a California pumpkin farm, San Luis Obispo County health officials confirmed Tuesday. Officials have not released the person’s age or identity.
The death follows confirmation of five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, potentially originating from Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, according to an advisory issued by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.
“We can confirm that one individual associated with the E. coli outbreak has died. We are sharing this information with the permission of the individual’s family,” Tom Cuddy, public information officer for the department, said in a statement to The Tribune of San Luis Obispo on Nov. 10.
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“This is truly a heartbreaking development, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by this outbreak. The entire team at Public Health extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
In a Nov. 6 statement, the health department said an additional 10 individuals who visited the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 and developed symptoms have been deemed “suspect cases.”
Tests of water, food and other samples from the farm found some bacteria, including other E. coli strains, but did not detect the strain responsible for the outbreak, officials said.
People who became ill shared possible exposures to corn cups, pumpkins, hay and water not intended for drinking, but officials could not pinpoint the source.
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No farm animals or petting zoos, which are known to be common sources of this type of infection, were accessible to visitors or operating at the farm.
Investigators faced several limitations, including numerous possible sources, items no longer available for testing and delays between exposure and sampling. No further environmental testing is planned, according to the report.
“Based on the findings of our investigation, we believe the risk of additional exposure associated with this incident has passed, and there is no longer an ongoing public health threat,” said County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin.
“Our hearts go out to the families affected by this outbreak. We thank all those who have helped protect our community in response to this outbreak, and we encourage community members to continue practicing good handwashing and food safety to protect themselves and their families.”
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Typical symptoms of E. coli include cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration, which usually begin within three to 10 days of exposure.
Young children under 10 are typically at the highest risk for complications, which can include hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that damages blood cells and can lead to kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance in California, warned that diarrhea can lead to dehydration and fatigue.
“The diarrhea is really the key component here, and the stomach cramps,” he told Fox News Digital.
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Evans said younger children and older adults can be particularly vulnerable, emphasizing the need to closely watch children younger than 5.
Speaking generally about potential exposure routes in pumpkin patches, Evans said E. coli can spread when bacteria from feces reach someone’s mouth.
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He pointed to potentially contaminated food or water, animal contact and person-to-person transmission as possible transmission routes.
Evans also noted that not all E. coli bacteria cause illness. The confirmed cases in this investigation involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
The health department shared the following safe practices to protect against these types of infections.
- Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after being in outdoor environments or touching animals.
- Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them.
- Keeping raw foods separate from other foods during preparation and storage.
- Avoiding consumption of untreated water.
- Drinking milk and juices that have not been pasteurized.
- When selling or otherwise providing food to the public, always follow state and County health regulations.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the county health department for comment. Brookshire Farms previously told Fox News Digital it was reserving comment pending test results.
