In a concerning development, the outbreak of E. coli infections in Calgary, Canada, has prompted the closure of additional daycare centers as the number of confirmed patients continues to rise. Currently, there are 342 confirmed cases, with the majority being children under the age of 5.
Alberta’s chief medical officer, Dr. Mark Joffe, announced on Friday night that more daycare sites in Calgary have reported cases of E. coli among children, leading to their closure for inspections and thorough cleaning. Following these closures, no students or staff will be allowed to return unless they can provide negative tests for E. coli infection.
The Alberta Health Services (AHS) department stated that these closures were prompted by the confirmation of a child testing positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. Importantly, this child was not in attendance at any of the daycares initially involved in the outbreak.
AHS is actively investigating to determine if this new case is connected to the ongoing outbreak. They are also directly communicating with families of the affected daycare, known as Calgary JCC Child Care.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasized the need for parents whose children were affected by the initial closures to exercise caution and prevent secondary infections. She advised parents to ensure their children do not interact with others until they receive clearance that they are free of E. coli.
The newly closed facilities include:
Additionally, Vik Academy, which had previously reopened, has closed once again as a precaution pending testing results.
The outbreak was first detected in early September and officially declared on September 4. Initially, 11 daycare centers and their central kitchen were closed. While the daycare centers have been cleared to reopen, the central kitchen, KidsU Centennial – Fueling Minds Inc., remains closed due to health code violations, including the presence of cockroaches, pooling water on the floor, and improper food temperature control during transport.
This ongoing outbreak underscores the seriousness of E. coli infections and the importance of strict adherence to food safety and hygiene measures in daycare facilities.
About E. coli Infections: Symptoms of E. coli infections include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes fever. While most patients recover within a week, some may develop severe complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be life-threatening.
HUS symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, decreased urination, unexplained bruising or bleeding, and pallor. This condition can affect people of all ages but is most common in children under 5, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about potential exposure to the bacteria.
This is an evolving situation, and the authorities are actively working to contain the outbreak and ensure the safety of the affected children and their families. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.