E. coli Investigations Span Farms, Texas Fair

Health departments are investigating possible E. coli outbreaks linked to fall attractions, including five confirmed cases associated with Brookshire Farms in California, five cases among visitors to Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Illinois, and up to seven possible Shiga toxin-producing E. coli cases among children in Dallas County. The Texas cases and any connection to the State Fair of Texas, particularly its petting zoo, remain unconfirmed; officials say the cluster has not been classified as an outbreak as they await lab reports and continue interviews. At least two children in the Texas cluster have been hospitalized, with reports that some required intensive care; four Illinois patients were hospitalized. Brookshire Farms closed during the California investigation, and the Illinois farm closed its petting zoo. The State Fair says it is cooperating with health authorities and has CDC-recommended precautions for animal exhibits, though such precautions cannot eliminate all risk; E. coli can spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces, including animal waste.