Eight children in three Colorado mountain counties have tested positive for the same type of E. coli bacteria, with two of the children being hospitalized with complications.
State and local health officials are investigating possible sources of exposure, including deer and elk droppings, as well as common behaviors, activities, foods and drinks.
“We are doing a comprehensive investigation,” said Gayle Miller, an epidemiologist with the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment. “We don’t have a smoking gun. We don’t know yet what the source is.”
The children, ages 4 to 12, do not attend the same school, but they live or have been in the Evergreen area, Miller said. Six of the cases are in Jefferson County, and two are in adjacent counties. Miller would not identify those counties.
An 11-year-old girl has been in Children’s Hospital since Monday, her grandmother said Thursday.
“She’s doing better, but it has affected her kidneys,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified.
Miller emphasized that there is no community outbreak and that no school is targeted.
The bacteria — 0157:H7 — has been linked to undercooked hamburger contaminated with cattle feces and to contaminated fruits and vegetables.
The cases began appearing in July, with the last reported Oct. 22.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
