Tests that may pinpoint the source of the E. coli outbreak suspected of sickening 20 Front Range residents, including 19 children, are expected some time next week, the doctor leading the investigation said today.
The “working hypothesis” is that the E. coli infection may be linked to the National Western Stock Show because 16 of the children attended the annual event in Denver, said Dr. Chris Urbina, director of Denver Public Health.
As of mid-day afternoon today, no new cases have been reported, said Tony Encinias, spokesman for Denver Health.
Urbina said doctors and researchers are attempting to track down the outbreak source that involves a serious strain of E. coli called 0157 H7, which is fatal in about one in 50 cases.
Earlier this week, Julie Bragdon, director of primary education at the Montessori School of Denver, alerted parents by e-mail that one of the 297 children at the school had contracted E. coli 0157 H7.
The child had gone to the stock show and an examination confirmed the child had been sickened by the E. coli 0157 bacteria, said Bragdon.
“We have been doing a lot of cleaning and disinfecting and sending home kids that are sick,” said Bragdon. But none of the kids sent home as a precaution had the E. coli bacteria, she added.
“Our goal is to keep our students safe,” Bragdon said. “You can’t wash your hands enough.”
Investigating the outbreak are personnel from Denver Health, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Denver Department of Environmental Health and numerous local health departments in the metro area.
Urbina said that although the stock show closed Jan. 25, and the incubation period is from one to eight days, the strain of E. coli could have been passed from a child that was infected earlier to more children, who would now just be showing symptoms.
Health officials are concerned the bacteria may have been passed from child to child in day-care centers or elementary schools, said the doctor.
The children who contracted the E. coli are very young, he said, with a median age of 5.
“We are concerned about secondary cases,” said Urbina.
E. coli 0157 H7 can infect blood and kidneys and cause kidney failure.
Among the symptoms are abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, low grade fever, and vomiting. He said anyone with those symptoms should see their doctor immediately.
“We are trying to figure out the source, whether food, water or animals,” said Urbina.
The oldest person is 66 and the youngest child is 7 months. Those with the E. coli live up and down the Front Range, including Denver, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe and Broomfield counties.
Urbina emphasized today that in addition to all the personnel from health organizations involved, personnel from the National Western also are working with investigators.
Urbina praised the stock show for its cooperation.
Pat Grant, president and CEO of the stock show, said Thursday “we are working proactively with the state to try to determine the origin of the E. coli outbreak.”
Grant said that at this point, there is no conclusive evidence the outbreak is linked to the stock show.
“To my knowledge in our 102-year history, we never had a prior instance of E. coli,” said Grant.
“It is important at this point to know that there is no factual basis that the origin was from the National Western,” said Grant.
Grant said the stock show has vigorously sought to take precautions to prevent E. coli outbreaks stemming from interaction with people and animals at the stock show. There are signs, he said, that ask people to wash their hands thoroughly, and there are handwashing stations near the petting farm at the show.
“The National Western is about people, animals and children,” said Grant. “We want to be as open and transparent as we can be.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
