Illinois Goat Linked to Outbreak; California Farm Reopens

At Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen, Illinois, advanced DNA testing found a close genetic match between STEC bacteria from sick visitors and a baby goat at the petting zoo, which officials identified as the likely outbreak source; officials found no concerns with the farm’s food service. Seven infections have been laboratory-confirmed, including two identified through a survey of 270 respondents, while 159 respondents were classified as probable cases; four confirmed patients were hospitalized. The farm voluntarily closed its petting zoo during the investigation and later closed for the season. Separately, a California farm linked to another E. coli outbreak reopened after a voluntary shutdown; officials reported five confirmed infections and 10 additional people with matching symptoms, while a six-year-old boy remained critically ill with complications including HUS.