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Popular California beach closed amid E. coli outbreak
Los Angeles Times • • health
Key Points:
- Santa Cruz County officials closed Capitola Beach due to an E. coli 0157 outbreak that has sickened at least nine children, all linked to exposure at the beach or nearby waterways.
- Water testing is underway at multiple locations around Capitola Beach, with visitors and pets advised to avoid contact with ocean, creek, and lagoon water.
- In San Luis Obispo County, a recent E. coli outbreak linked to Brookshire Farms resulted in one death and several hospitalizations, leading to the farm's temporary closure and cancellation of a local event.
- Despite extensive testing, health officials have not identified the exact source of the E. coli strain in the San Luis Obispo outbreak but believe the risk of further exposure has passed.
- Public health authorities emphasize that bacterial contamination is often transient and difficult to detect, but epidemiological evidence continues to indicate a short-term shared exposure caused the outbreak.
