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E. coli outbreak spreads: Child sickened at SLO CA preschool
San Luis Obispo Tribune • • health
Key Points:
- A child at a San Luis Obispo preschool contracted a deadly strain of E. coli (O157) through person-to-person transmission, linked to an outbreak that previously killed an 18-month-old girl and sickened four others.
- The infected child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication affecting kidneys, was hospitalized, and is now recovering at home; the preschool has been closed for disinfection and families notified.
- The outbreak is connected to Brookshire Farms, but the preschool child had no direct contact with the farm, indicating transmission occurred at the school.
- Public Health officials emphasized prevention measures such as handwashing, washing produce, separating raw and ready-to-eat foods, and avoiding untreated water and unpasteurized products.
- Resources including a free online support app, BrightLife Kids, have been provided to help parents manage children's stress related to the outbreak.
