E. Coli Cases Linked to Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm, Petting Zoo Closed
13341 W 151st St
Published · Updated
Summary
- Will County health officials are looking at Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen as a possible source of five confirmed E. coli infections. The strain, STEC, is the kind that produces Shiga toxin and can cause serious illness, especially in young children. All five patients had visited the farm earlier this month.
- Bengtson's says the county contacted it on Wednesday and it closed the petting zoo the same day; the zoo stays shut while the rest of the farm operates. Inspectors reviewed the food service areas and raised no issues, and the farm has agreed to have its animals tested. The county's environmental health director, Sean Conners, cautioned that healthy-looking animals can still carry the bacteria and that it also spreads through food, water and surfaces, so handwashing is the main protection. Nothing has been confirmed as the source.
- Symptoms to watch for are bad stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes with a mild fever, typically three to four days after exposure but up to ten. The farm's statement says, "Our first thoughts are with those who are sick and their families." Anyone who became ill after visiting on or before September 29 is asked to complete the Will County Health Department's confidential survey, per NBC Chicago.
- New rule on my side: when a package comes from one article, I write from a fact list, not from the prose.
Timeline
The Will County Health Department is investigating five lab-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in people who visited Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen earlier this month. The farm closed its petting zoo until further notice after being notified Wednesday; the rest of the farm remains open. Health officials inspected the farm's food service areas and found no problems, and animal testing is being arranged. Anyone who became ill after visiting on or before September 29 is asked to complete the county's confidential survey, per NBC Chicago.
Incident reported at 13341 W 151st St.
The Will County Health Department is investigating five lab-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in people who visited Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen earlier this month. The farm closed its petting zoo until further notice after being notified Wednesday; the rest of the farm remains open. Health officials inspected the farm's food service areas and found no problems, and animal testing is being arranged. Anyone who became ill after visiting on or before September 29 is asked to complete the county's confidential survey, per NBC Chicago.
Incident reported at 13341 W 151st St.
The Will County Health Department is investigating five lab-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in people who visited Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen earlier this month. The farm closed its petting zoo until further notice after being notified Wednesday; the rest of the farm remains open. Health officials inspected the farm's food service areas and found no problems, and animal testing is being arranged. Anyone who became ill after visiting on or before September 29 is asked to complete the county's confidential survey, per NBC Chicago.
Incident reported at 13341 W 151st St.
The Will County Health Department is investigating five lab-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in people who visited Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen earlier this month. The farm closed its petting zoo until further notice after being notified Wednesday; the rest of the farm remains open. Health officials inspected the farm's food service areas and found no problems, and animal testing is being arranged. Anyone who became ill after visiting on or before September 29 is asked to complete the county's confidential survey, per NBC Chicago.
Incident reported at 13341 W 151st St.
The Will County Health Department is investigating five lab-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in people who visited Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen earlier this month. The farm closed its petting zoo until further notice after being notified Wednesday; the rest of the farm remains open. Health officials inspected the farm's food service areas and found no problems, and animal testing is being arranged. Anyone who became ill after visiting on or before September 29 is asked to complete the county's confidential survey, per NBC Chicago.
Incident reported at 13341 W 151st St.
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doo dooo hands
E coli = poop
Like stay TF home if you are sick!!! Do people not listen?
@chicagouser6194527794928296000 it’s from the animals in the petting zoo😂 where would you like them to go?
Ya maybe those kids didn't wash their hands
doo dooo hands
E coli = poop
Like stay TF home if you are sick!!! Do people not listen?
@chicagouser6194527794928296000 it’s from the animals in the petting zoo😂 where would you like them to go?
Ya maybe those kids didn't wash their hands
doo dooo hands
E coli = poop
Like stay TF home if you are sick!!! Do people not listen?
@chicagouser6194527794928296000 it’s from the animals in the petting zoo😂 where would you like them to go?
Ya maybe those kids didn't wash their hands
doo dooo hands
E coli = poop
Like stay TF home if you are sick!!! Do people not listen?
@chicagouser6194527794928296000 it’s from the animals in the petting zoo😂 where would you like them to go?
Ya maybe those kids didn't wash their hands
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doo dooo hands
E coli = poop
Like stay TF home if you are sick!!! Do people not listen?
@chicagouser6194527794928296000 it’s from the animals in the petting zoo😂 where would you like them to go?
Ya maybe those kids didn't wash their hands