DENVER—Denver health officials are investigating at least 20 cases of E. coli that might be linked to last month’s National Western Stock Show, and other possible cases are under investigation.
Dr. Chris Urbina, director of Denver Public Health, said 12 cases have been confirmed through lab tests and results in eight more are pending. All but one of the cases were in children.
Health officials say there could be more cases because many schools and day care centers sponsored trips to the Jan. 10-25 show. Urbina said the health department sent notices to schools and day care centers.
Health officials think the stock show might have been the source because most of the people attended the event. However, Urbina said officials were still trying to determine if food or direct contact with animals there was the cause.
Health officials say at least two children apparently became ill after contact with infected children at a child care center.
Pat Grant, National Western president and CEO, said health officials notified him of the problem Tuesday and the stock show is working with the Denver and state health departments in the investigations.
Grant said the stock show takes several precautions to prevent the spread of disease, including putting up signs reminding visitors to wash their hands after direct contact with animals. He said there are several hand-washing stations around petting farms for children.
Grant, stock show president since 1991, said he couldn’t remember any similar incidents.
E. coli is spread easily and can be serious in young children.
Urbina said the Denver health department usually deals with one or two cases a month.
