E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycare centres is over, Alberta Health Services says

An E. coli outbreak that was announced in September and infected hundreds of children at several Calgary daycare centers is now over, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said. in release On Tuesday.

A total of 11 locations, including six daycare branches and five other locations that shared a central kitchen, were declared free of the outbreak, AHS said.

38 children and one adult were hospitalized due to the epidemic. Doctors diagnosed 23 patients with severe disease or hemolytic uremic syndrome, and eight received peritoneal dialysis.

No deaths have been reported and all patients have been discharged from hospital, the AHS said, adding that 1,581 children linked to the outbreak have now been cleared by doctors to return to daycare.

The central kitchen is still closed

Meanwhile, AHS is still monitoring several patients whose tests remain positive for E. coli. Before they can resume work or return to day care, they will need a letter of approval from AHS.

The central kitchen, which was connected to the outbreak, remains closed. “At this time, the criteria to revoke the order have not been met,” AHS said.

“In order for the kitchen to reopen, the closure order must be lifted by AHS, which requires multiple steps, including a food safety plan submitted and approved by AHS.”

The statement noted that while the outbreak is over, there is still much work to be done, such as providing relief to those affected by the outbreak and still dealing with positive reports of E. coli.