A popular pumpkin patch in central California has shut down for the remainder of the autumn season as public health investigators examine an E. coli outbreak that has placed three children in intensive care.
Health officials in San Luis Obispo County announced that five individuals have been diagnosed with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections, according to an advisory from the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department. Tom Cuddy, a public information officer for the agency, told ABC News that the confirmed cases involve three children and two adults, noting that the children are seriously ill in a pediatric intensive care unit.
All five patients had previously visited Brookshire Farms, an attraction on Los Osos Valley Road that offers a pumpkin patch, hayrides and a corn maze, officials reported. The farm initially closed its gates voluntarily on Tuesday before deciding to stay shut through the end of the Halloween season while testing is conducted.
Source of exposure under review
Investigators have established an exposure window ranging from Oct. 16 through Oct. 26. Although each infected patient visited the farm, authorities emphasized that the exact mechanism of transmission remains undetermined.
County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin told local station KSBY that the bacterial strain involved “can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting and then in young children cause renal disease and sometimes kidney failure.” Mulkerin added, “We know that there’s a link that these people all went to Brookshire Farms but we’re still investigating exactly how they could’ve gotten sick.”
Dr. Rachel May, owner of the local clinic Med Stop, told KSBY that public health alerts sent to area medical providers indicated that three pediatric patients had developed kidney involvement from the infection.
In a social media statement cited by the New York Post, Brookshire Farms stated: “We are waiting on the test results from the county health department. Until then there is nothing to comment on. We have opted to remain closed for the remainder of the pumpkin season until test results have been determined.” The farm’s owner confirmed full cooperation with county health officials during the inquiry.
Symptoms and prevention advice
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, E. coli bacteria are widely present in the environment, foods and animal digestive tracts. While many strains are harmless, Shiga toxin-producing variants generate toxins capable of damaging blood vessels and triggering hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening disorder that can cause sudden renal failure. Children younger than 10 face the greatest danger of such complications.
Symptoms typically develop between three and 10 days after ingesting the bacteria and can include:
- Severe abdominal pain and stomach cramps
- Bloody or watery diarrhea
- Vomiting and low-grade fever
- Signs of dehydration and exhaustion
Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance, told Fox News Digital that transmission often occurs when microscopic amounts of fecal matter enter the mouth, citing contaminated food, contaminated water, animal interaction or person-to-person spread as potential avenues.
San Luis Obispo County officials have also released pumpkin-handling precautions, recommending that people wash pumpkins to remove soil, disinfect surfaces the pumpkins touched with sanitizer or diluted bleach, and wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after carving or touching pumpkins.
Public health officials said additional cases could emerge as contact tracing and laboratory evaluations continue, urging anyone who visited the farm during the exposure period and is suffering gastrointestinal symptoms to seek medical care immediately.
