NewsDesk @bactiman63

An E. coli outbreak has been declared for six locations of a Calgary daycare and five additional sites that share a central kitchen.

At this time, 17 lab-confirmed cases have been linked to the outbreak, as well as 12 individuals hospitalized, and up to 50 children presenting to hospital.

Escherichia coli
Image/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

The following sites, all located in Calgary, have been issued a closure order until issues are resolved:

  • Fueling Brains Braeside
  • Fueling Brains West 85th
  • Fueling Brains New Brighton
  • Fueling Brains Centennial
  • Fueling Brains Bridgeland
  • Fueling Brains McKnight

As well as:

  • Braineer Academy
  • Kidz Space
  • Little Oak Early Education (formerly Mangrove)
  • Almond Branch School
  • Vik Academy in Okotoks

Families with children attending any of the above locations are being sent letters advising of the outbreak and are being asked to monitor for symptoms and present to an emergency department if necessary.

The predominant symptom associated with E. coli is diarrhea, which may be bloody. Symptoms usually start one to 10 days after eating food contaminated with the E. coli bacteria.

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If you are concerned or start to develop symptoms, please call 8-1-1. If children develop severe symptoms (e.g. bloody diarrhea), please visit an urgent care care clinic, an emergency department, or your family physician as soon as possible. It’s important that you mention your possible exposure to E. coli.

The majority of individuals who get sick from E. coli generally improve on their own and without specific treatment within 10 days, but a proportion may develop more severe complications. Antibiotics are not necessary or helpful for this infection.

Children, the elderly and the immunocompromised are at greater risk of complications from this strain of E. coli. AHS will continue to update the public with information as it becomes available.