加州圣路易斯-奥比斯波县南瓜园大肠杆菌调查：5例确诊、3名儿童重症入住儿科重症监护，农场自愿关闭至南瓜季结束
美国加州圣路易斯-奥比斯波县圣路易斯-奥比斯波市消息：圣路易斯-奥比斯波县公共卫生部门确认 5 例产志贺毒素大肠杆菌感染，正在调查这些病例与当地布鲁克郡农场（Brookshire Farms）之间可能存在的关联；该农场已自愿关闭，并表示将关闭至南瓜季结束。
县公共卫生部门表示，5 例均为产志贺毒素大肠杆菌感染，疑似暴露期为 10 月 16 日至 10 月 26 日，调查人员尚未确认感染源。县卫生部门尚未确定病例是否与受污染的食物、水、动物接触或其他来源有关，正在收集访客信息、调查可能的暴露途径并开展后续工作，以确定这些病例是否相关。
县卫生部门发言人 Tom Cuddy 向《论坛报》与 SFGate 证实，5 例中有 3 名儿童病情严重，正在儿科重症监护室接受治疗。据《今日美国》报道，10 岁以下儿童出现并发症的风险最高。卫生官员说，感染症状可包括严重胃痉挛、血性腹泻和呕吐，通常在暴露后 3 至 10 天出现。
县卫生官 Christy Mulkerin 博士在声明中说：“我们正在努力确认这些感染的来源，以保护我们社区的健康。我们鼓励任何可能接触过、并出现与大肠杆菌感染相符症状的人立即就医。”
布鲁克郡农场以玉米迷宫、南瓜园及其他秋季主题活动著称。农场在 10 月 28 日的声明中说：“安全是我们的主要关切。我们正在等待县卫生部门的检测结果。在此之前，没有什么可评论的。”农场表示，在等待检测结果期间将保持关闭至南瓜季结束，并配合调查。
据《今日美国》引述加州公共卫生部门的介绍，多数产志贺毒素大肠杆菌感染者无需治疗即可康复，但部分病例可能发展为重症甚至危及生命；幼儿、孕妇、老年人及免疫系统较弱者出现严重病情的风险最高。
California Pumpkin Patch E. Coli Investigation in San Luis Obispo County: 5 Cases Confirmed, 3 Children in Serious Condition in Pediatric Intensive Care as Brookshire Farms Closes Voluntarily Through the Pumpkin Season
SAN LUIS OBISPO, California — The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department has confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection and is investigating a potential link to Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo; the farm has closed voluntarily and said it will remain closed through the rest of the pumpkin season.
The county health department said the five cases are Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections, with a suspected exposure period of October 16 to October 26, and investigators have not yet identified the source of the infections. The department has not determined whether the cases are linked to contaminated food, water, animal contact, or another source, and is gathering information from visitors, investigating potential exposures and conducting follow-up work to determine whether the cases are connected.
County health department spokesperson Tom Cuddy confirmed to The Tribune and SFGate that three of the five cases are children in serious condition receiving pediatric intensive care, USA TODAY reported. Children younger than 10 are at the highest risk of complications, health officials said. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, and typically appear three to 10 days after exposure.
“We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community,” County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin said in a statement. “We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention.”
Brookshire Farms is known for its corn mazes, pumpkin patches and other fall-themed attractions. In a statement on October 28, the farm said: “Safety is our main concern. We are waiting on the test results from the county health department. Until then, there is nothing to comment on.” The farm said it will remain closed through the rest of the pumpkin season while awaiting test results, and is cooperating with the investigation.
According to USA TODAY, citing the California Department of Public Health, most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli recover without treatment, but some cases can become severe and even life-threatening; young children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of serious illness.
来源：GSM·美国（原文链接）
图片来源：布鲁克郡农场玉米迷宫航拍，涉事农场即该农场。布鲁克郡农场官方网站发布。 / Aerial view of the corn maze at Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, the farm under investigation. Released on the farm’s official website.
