Bakersfield-area E. coli outbreak investigation continues
California health officials continue their investigation into an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least a dozen people in the Bakersfield, California, area. A story posted at KGET.com indicated that food served at a restaurant may be the source of the outbreak:
After our story aired Tuesday night, we received several calls from viewers claiming to know where the 12 children became sickened.A common thread is a restaurant in Bakersfield, but the Kern County Health Department will not reveal its location.
Health officials continued to say there is no immediate threat to the public and that is why the health department will not officially name the pizzeria.
KERO reported that the father of a child ill with E. coli is exhibiting symptoms of E. coli infection, and is being monitored, and yesterday's Bakersfield Californian included a report that four children were hospitalized after contracting E. coli infections. Two of those children have been released, but two remain hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome:
Two of the hospitalized children have been released, and two developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome -- a condition marked by kidney failure and seen in serious foodborne illnesses -- and were transferred to hospitals outside Kern County.The 6-year-old Reagan kindergartner at Madera's Children's Hospital Central California has remained in good condition, which means his vital signs are stable and he is conscious.
While he hasn't regained any kidney function, the dialysis is starting to work, said the boy's father, who did not wish to be named.
