Minneapolis Channel 9 Reports that when 7-year-old Emma Heidish became sick earlier in October, her symptoms began with stomach cramps.

“At first, we thought it was the flu,” recalled Spencer Heidish, the girl’s father.

Emma Heidish was one of several who were sickened by E. coli after a visit to the petting zoo at Dehn’s Pumpkins in Dayton, Minn. When her symptoms progressed to diarrhea a week and a half ago, her parents’ concern grew after they started to see blood.

“When you get this particular bug, it’s not something that you can just throw some Tylenol or Advil at,” Spencer Heidish said. “There’s no real quick answer for it. It has to work its way out.”

Three children contracted that specific type of E. coli, and Dehn’s farm has now closed off the livestock area with caution tape.

“Knowing my daughter, she probably interacted with every animal on the farm,” Spencer Heidish said.

Although the two other children recovered at home, Emma Heidish has already spent 9 days in Children’s Hospital, and she could stay there for two to six more weeks as she struggles with a form of kidney failure called HUS.

“She’s scared out of her mind,” Spenser Heidish relayed. “The toughest part for us as adults and parents is watching how scared she is.”

KMSP-TV

Three Minnesota residents have become ill with confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections after contact with animals at Dehn’s Pumpkins in Dayton, MN, the Minnesota Department of Health reported today.

The three cases were all children, ranging in age from 15 months to 7 years and are residents of the Twin Cities metro area. One child is hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection characterized by kidney failure. The others were not hospitalized and are recovering. Routine monitoring by the health department identified the E. coli O157:H7 cases, which all have bacterial isolates with the same DNA fingerprint. These cases visited the farm on October 12 or 13, and became ill on October 16 or 18.

The Minnesota Department of Health is in the process of following up with any groups that visited the farm in order to help determine if more people have become ill. At this time, two additional people have reported symptoms consistent with E. coli O157:H7 infection and are currently being tested. These people visited Dehn’s on October 18, raising concern that exposures also could have occurred after the weekend of October 12-13.

All of the cases reported having contact with cattle and/or goats at Dehn’s. The farm owners have been cooperating fully with the investigation and public access to the cattle and goat areas is being prohibited. The rest of the farm, including the pumpkin patch, remains open for business.

Costco, in Coon Rapids, Minn., is recalling an undetermined amount of lean fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The product subject to recall is 383 units of 88% lean fresh ground beef (88/12). It bears the Costco item number 33724 under the Costco label. This product was sold directly to 342 consumers in a Costco located at 12547 Riverdale Blvd., Coon Rapids, Minn., between Sept. 4 and Sept. 7.

FSIS was notified of an E. coli O157:H7 illness on Oct. 17, 2013. Working in conjunction with Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture and Department of Health, FSIS determined that there is a link between the ground beef product from Costco and this illness. Based on epidemiological and traceback investigations, 1 case-patient has been identified in Minnesota with an estimated illness onset date of Sept. 29, 2013. The product was prepared from bull meat and finely ground beef from the Costco Wholesale plant in Tracy, Calif., and bench trim prepared at the Costco Wholesale in Coon Rapids, Minn. The steaks or roasts that were the source of the bench trim may have originated from as many as 16 federally inspected establishments. FSIS continues to work with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Department of Health on this investigation and will provide updated information as it becomes available.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS and Costco are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

Beef:  The Middlesex-London Health Unit officials in southwestern Ontario say laboratory tests have linked three cases of E. coli O157:H7 to recalled Compliments brand Super 8 Beef Burgers. However, a spokesman for Ontario’s health ministry said Thursday there have been six confirmed cases of illness in that province associated with the beef in question. Of the six people, four were hospitalized; of the four, one is still in hospital. All are recovering, the ministry said.  The onsets of the six cases of illness in Ontario were between Aug. 16 and Sept. 15.

The recall of the burgers began on Wednesday and covers eight-ounce burgers that were sold frozen in packages of six (with a UPC code of 0 55742 37055 3).  The burgers were distributed in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario, and sold through Foodland, Sobeys, FreshCo and Price Chopper stores.

Cheese:  The Public Health Agency of Canada, along with its health and food safety partners, is investigating 25 cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness; 12 in British Columbia, 10 in Alberta and 1 each in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.  These individuals became ill between mid-July and mid-September.  There has been one reported death.

Certain contaminated cheese products manufactured by Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, have been identified as the source of the illnesses. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a Health Hazard Alert warning the public not to consume the affected product. Should additional products be recalled as part of the ongoing food safety investigation, the CFIA will immediately inform the public.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Belmont Meats Ltd. (Est. 112) are warning the public not to consume certain Compliments brand Super 8 Beef Burgers described below because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

This recall is the result of an ongoing food safety investigation initiated as a result of a recent outbreak investigation. There may be recalls of additional products or best before dates as the food safety investigation at this facility continues.

This product has been distributed in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador in Sobeys banner stores, which might include Sobeys, Foodland, FreshCo, and Price Chopper.

There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The Public Health Agency of Canada, along with its health and food safety partners, is investigating 21 cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness; 9 in British Columbia, 9 in Alberta and 1 each in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.

These individuals became ill between mid-July and early September. Most people who become ill from E.coli bacteria will recover within 5 to 10 days.

Certain contaminated cheese products manufactured by Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, have been identified as the source of the illnesses. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a Health Hazard Alert warning the public not to consume the affected product. Should additional products be recalled as part of the ongoing food safety investigation, the CFIA will immediately inform the public.

The CBC reported that one person has died and ten have become ill in British Columbia and Alberta after eating E. coli tainted products from Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm of Salmon Arm.

A statement from Health Canada said there were four cases of illness in B.C. and seven in Alberta. One person is still recovering in hospital and several cases remain under investigation, said B.C. Centre for Disease Control epidemiologist Dr. Eleni Galanis. The illnesses began in July, with the majority of infected people displaying symptoms in late August to early September.

All sizes of the raw milk cheeses listed below are affected by the recall:

Medium Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato.

Aged Quaso de Prato.

X Aged Quaso de Prato.

Cumin Quaso de Prato.

Greek Blend: Onion, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper, Thyme, Oregano Quaso de Prato.

Gouda Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers Quaso de Prato.

Smoked Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato.

Gouda Cheese with Red Peppers, Ginger, Onions & Garlic Quaso de Prato.

Peppercorn, Ginger, Paprika, Onion & Garlic Quaso de Prato.

Parsley, Celery, Onion, Garlic, Dill & Chives Quaso de Prato.

Maasdammer.

Beaufort.

Parmesan.

Mazouda.

An alert from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency states the affected products have lot codes 122 to 138 and were sold at the manufacturer’s outlet, at retail stores in Alberta and B.C, and through internet sales from May 27 to Sept. 14, 2013, inclusive.

Some product packages may not bear a lot code or indicate that the cheese was made with raw milk, and CFIA advises consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product to contact their retailer.