E. coli and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome found at Minnesota Pumpkin Patch

An E. coli outbreak has allegedly been linked to animals at Dehn's Pumpkin Patch in Dayton, Minn. Minnesota E. coli lawyer Fred Pitzker and his Bad Bug Law Team note via the Food Poisoning Bulletin that three children have been sickened due to the bacteria--one of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of an E. coli infection that can cause kidney failure and lead to other medical problems including seizures, multiple organ failure, coma, stroke, heart attack and pancreatitis.

"Most parents are not aware that children can contract E. coli from animal contact," said Pritzker, who recently won a case for a child who contracted E. coli-HUS after contact with a llama at a Minnesota petting zoo. "It is the responsibility of petting zoo owners to make sure the animals are kept clean and that there are hand washing stations for the children."

At this time, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is trying to determine if anyone else who visited the farm became ill. Two others have also reported symptoms consistent with the health issue and are currently being tested after a visit to Dehn's on Oct. 18.

Health officials note that all confirmed cases had contact with cows and/or goats at the farm.

According to The Mayo Clinic, there are many strains of E. coli, but only a few trigger dangerous symptoms, including things like diarrhea. However, an infection from a source with E. Coli can spread from food and water or person-to-person contact. 

MDH recommends that anyone who has visited Dehn's Pumpkins since October 12 and has symptoms relating to those previously mentioned talk to a health provider immediately so that the proper treatment and medical measures can be taken.