November 13, 2026
2 min read
Key takeaways:
- Health officials have linked five total lab-confirmed cases to the patch.
- No specific source has been identified.
One person died and several others were sickened in an outbreak of Escherichia coli linked to a California pumpkin patch, according to county health officials.
Tom Cuddy, public information officer for the San Luis Obispo County public health department, confirmed the death in a statement sent to Healio on Friday but gave no additional details about the person.
“This is truly a heartbreaking development, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by this outbreak,” Cuddy said.
Three children were hospitalized in the outbreak, all of whom were admitted into pediatric intensive care, the Los Angeles Times and other outlets reported.
At least 15 people who visited Brookshire Farms from Oct. 16 to Oct. 26 fell ill, health officials reported.
Officials said five of those people had laboratory-confirmed Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, or STEC, a strain of the bacteria that can cause severe kidney distress and lead to hospitalization or death.
County officials said the other 10 individuals who visited the farm developed symptoms and are “deemed suspect cases” in the investigation.
No specific source for the outbreak has been identified, but officials identified several potential exposures, including edible corn cups, pumpkins, hay and non-potable water sources.
Officials also said no farm animals or petting zoos — which are common sources of STEC — were in contact with the public at the pumpkin patch.
They said the investigation is “wrapping up” and that the E. coli threat linked to the outbreak “has passed.”
According to the CDC, most types of E. coli “are harmless” but STEC can cause life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure, permanent health issues and even death.
Amesh A. Adalja, MD, FIDSA, an infectious disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Healio that there can be challenges distinguishing a STEC infection from a standard stomach pathogen.
“Symptoms alone can’t reliably separate the two, but STEC has a pattern,” Adalja said. “STEC brings severe cramping and diarrhea that turns bloody over a few days, usually with little or no fever. Bloody diarrhea should prompt a stool test for Shiga toxin, and until STEC is ruled out.”
Often, Adalja said, “more ominous warning signs” arrive a week after symptoms emerge, including decreased urination and severe fatigue, which can signal HUS, particularly in young children.
The CDC notes that certain populations face a higher likelihood of contracting E. coli or developing severe complications, including children aged younger than 5 years, adults aged 65 years or older and people with weakened immune systems.
For more information:
Amesh A. Adalja, MD, FIDSA, can be reached at ameshaa@aol.com.
Sources/Disclosures
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References:
Disclosures:
Adalja reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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