AI Image
California pumpkin farm reopens after E. coli outbreak, co-owner speaks
Sacramento Bee • • health
Key Points:
- Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo County linked to an E. coli O157 outbreak with five confirmed cases, including three children in intensive care, prompting a 10-day voluntary closure during peak pumpkin season.
- Despite extensive cleaning protocols and no petting zoo on site, the farm has not been able to identify the exact source of contamination, as environmental tests did not detect the outbreak strain on the premises.
- County health officials noted the difficulty in pinpointing the source due to temporary bacterial contamination and limited testing options; other E. coli types were found but not linked to patient infections.
- The farm reopened with thousands of free pumpkins to visitors, with officials assuring the public that pumpkins are not a source of infection and that the public health threat has passed.
- Brookshire Farms plans to continue operations for the Christmas season but will focus on traditional activities, emphasizing customer safety and recovery from the financial impact of the outbreak.
