The Will County Health Department in Illinois is investigating five cases of E. coli infection. They may be linked to visits to Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen.
Farm representatives said the source of the infections has not been confirmed and that the farm’s mini zoo has been closed. They stressed that health inspections found no irregularities at the food outlets or retail stands. Health officials urge people to wash their hands thoroughly and to monitor their health for symptoms, which include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.
According to the Will County Health Department, the infections with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli may be linked to visits to Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen. Health officials are trying to determine how the infections occurred and whether all of the cases share a common source. The health department said that, as a precaution, the farm voluntarily closed its mini zoo and is arranging testing of the animals.
Officials said the farm’s owners and employees are cooperating with the investigation. “The Will County Health Department is seeking to conduct a thorough investigation to better understand how these infections occurred,” said Sean Conners, director of environmental health at the department.
On Friday, Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm issued a statement about the investigation. It said that on Wednesday, Will County health officials notified the owners that five people who had developed symptoms of illness had visited the farm earlier this month. “Out of an abundance of caution, we closed our mini zoo immediately upon receiving the report, and it will remain closed until further notice,” the statement said. “The rest of the farm is open,” it added. According to the statement, health officials on Wednesday inspected the food outlets and retail stands on the farm’s grounds and found no irregularities. As part of the ongoing investigation, the farm also asked a veterinarian to collect samples from the animals. Farm representatives said the mini zoo is staffed at all times, hand-washing stations are located at the entrance and exit, and the animal pens are cleaned daily.
Anyone who visited Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen after Sept. 29 and has experienced symptoms is asked to fill out a confidential questionnaire prepared by the Will County Health Department, available at redcap.link/PumpkinFarm. E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of people and animals. Although most strains are harmless, some, including those that produce Shiga toxin, can cause illness. The bacteria can spread through contaminated food or water, contact with animals or contaminated surfaces, and contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of infection include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody) and vomiting. Some people may develop a fever. Symptoms usually appear three to four days after exposure to the bacteria, though they can appear anywhere from one to 10 days after contact. Most people recover within a week, but some infections can lead to serious complications. Children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are especially at risk of severe illness.
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Source: Polski.FM
