In a follow-up to the continuing coverage of the E. coli O157 outbreak linked to a Lebanon, CT farm, Connecticut health officials (DPH) are now reporting 34 confirmed cases of E. coli O157 infection linked to the farm, up from 15 case one week ago.
Public domain image/Rosendahl
Health officials say the patients include six adults and 28 children 14 years old and under; 18 of the children are age five years or under.
In total, nine patients have been hospitalized with four still in the hospital. Three of the hospitalized patients have been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious illness that affects the kidneys and blood clotting system.
DPH is aware of three patients who did not visit Oak Leaf Farm but became ill with E. coli after having contact with someone with an E. coli infection who did visit the farm. These people are referred to as secondary cases. DPH continues to monitor for additional reports of secondary cases.
The investigation by DPH, Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continuing and expected to last several weeks.
Oak Leaf Farm remains closed to the public and its owners are cooperating with the investigation. The CT Department of Agriculture advises anyone who recently purchased goats from Oak Leaf Farm to consult with their livestock veterinarian.
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