Calgary E. coli outbreak cases reach 264, critical health violations found in kitchen used by daycares

Three critical health violations have been found at a central kitchen serving Calgary daycares affected by the E. coli outbreak, with the case count reaching 264 Tuesday, according to Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.

Mark Joffe says inspectors found the violations on Sept. 5 and are related to food handling, equipment sanitation, and pest control. In addition, he says there were two non-critical violations related to a sewer gas smell and utensil storage.

The outbreak of the bacterial infection was declared on Sept. 4 and has affected 11 daycares.

According to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) report, KidsU Centennial – Fueling Minds Inc. has had 41 violations — including the five from the September inspection — since 2021.

“This has been an extraordinary outbreak, both in terms of the numbers and the severity,” Joffe told a news conference.

“It is certainly the largest outbreak in Alberta that I’m aware of, and it’s particularly serious given that it has largely impacted young children who are at most risk of severe outcomes.”

As of Tuesday, 25 patients are in hospital, and 22 have hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication affecting the blood and kidneys. Six patients are on dialysis at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Watch: Some Calgary daycare E. coli patients on dialysis

Dr. Tania Principi, section chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Alberta Children’s Hospital, said many parents are still worried about the potential for complications.

“We know it’s very challenging for all these families,” she said. “We’ve seen a huge influx of patients requiring care and getting tests.”

Joffe said the kitchen was almost certainly the source of the infections. He said closing it immediately on Sept. 4 likely prevented the outbreak from being much worse.

Related stories: 

• E. coli linked to Calgary daycares climbs to 231 cases, 26 in hospital 

• Calgary E. coli daycare outbreak cases reach 164; exact source still unclear 

• Calgary daycares linked to E. coli outbreak to reopen, lawsuit being considered

The inspection report on the kitchen shows solutions used for sanitizing equipment and utensils weren’t “appropriate or were not maintained at adequate concentrations.”

“A commercial food establishment, all equipment and utensils in it and all surfaces in it with which food comes into contact must be maintained in a sanitary condition and, without limiting the foregoing, must be washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination,” the report reads.

In addition, the report states an operator said that cold foods were being transported to other locations for 90 minutes or more without temperature control.

“Food must be maintained below 4 C or above 60 C during transport,” the report reads.

Two live adult cockroaches and at least 20 dead ones were found on sticky pads.

“Significant evidence of a pest infestation was found at this food establishment,” the report continues.

“The commercial food establishment and any surrounding area, premises or facilities supporting the food establishment must be kept free of pests and of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.”

Read More: Alberta premier asks ministers for ‘full assessment’ of E. coli outbreak in Calgary

Previous inspection reports also found violations, including cleanliness and sanitation issues, an expired food handling certificate and inadequate handwashing facilities dating back to July 2021.

“This information, all together, is part of the ongoing investigation,” Joffe said.

No one from Fueling Brains has returned a request for comment, but a statement on its website said it’s working closely with AHS to reopen its facilities safely, including testing and cleaning, as the closure orders are lifted.

Meanwhile, AHS said the orders have been rescinded for Little Oak Early Education, Almond Branch, Fueling Brains Bridgeland, Braineer Academy, Vik Academy in Okotoks, Alta., and Kidz Space. Five Fueling Brains locations in Calgary and the central kitchen remain under closure orders, the health authority said Tuesday.

Eleven food samples from the central kitchen and eight from daycare sites are being tested to determine the exact source of the outbreak.

Dr. Kirsten Fiest, an epidemiologist whose 18-month-old son attends one of the Fueling Brains daycares that didn’t have any E. coli cases, said she and her husband struggled with sending him back on Tuesday.

“We did have to bring our own lunch, which I think made me a little bit more comfortable because I knew that food was coming from home,” she said.

Fiest said she’s disappointed to hear about the violations at the kitchen.

“How many chances does one organization get to resolve these issues? Should there not be more frequent followups if they are a repeat offender? Should they not be under high scrutiny, especially because they are feeding children?”

She also wonders why it took the government so long to respond.

“There should have been some acknowledgment about the severity of the problem and what should be done,” said Fiest.

“I certainly hope there’s an inquiry into this to understand how this could happen. If it happens in one place, it can happen somewhere else.”

CMOH says urgency wasn’t needed in provincial response, later clarifies answer

When Joffe was asked why the province hadn’t addressed the outbreak publicly before Tuesday, he said Alberta Health had received daily reports but didn’t feel there was “urgency” to do so.

Here's Alberta CMOH Dr. Mark Joffe explaining that they didn't comment publicly on the E. coli outbreak in Calgary until today because they didn't feel an urgency to do so until this point. #yeg #yyc #ableg pic.twitter.com/75U7Sycyff

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) September 12, 2023

“This has been an investigation that has been ongoing. There have been daily reports coming from Alberta Health Services. Minister LaGrange and myself have been following this extremely closely,” Joffe told reporters Tuesday.

“At this point, we felt it was prudent and appropriate for us to appear here and to speak to Albertans and to answer your questions, but we didn’t feel there was urgency to do that up until this point.”

Following the news conference, the CMOH released a statement clarifying his comments, saying the issue has been “addressed with urgency from the very start.”

“As the Chief Medical Officer of Health, my priority has been on the health and well-being of the children impacted and the progress of the investigation. The E. coli outbreak is very serious and rapidly evolving and we have been focused on making sure patients have the most up-to-date information about the care their children have been receiving,” his statement reads.

“Doctors, nurses, and health care professionals have kept in regular contact with parents and caregivers making sure they are getting the information they need during such a difficult time.”

He says the province’s priority was ensuring people were looked after and then to provide Albertans with a “fulsome update on the situation.”

NEW:

Dr Mark Joffe issues clarification regarding his comment that there was no urgency to speak publicly to the ongoing E. coli outbreak in Calgary. pic.twitter.com/7P1X4wGhd7

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) September 12, 2023

Provincial ministers also defended the province’s response at the news conference.

“I can assure everyone that we are committed to getting to the very bottom of this, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure the health and safety of all children in Alberta,” said Health Minister Adriana LaGrange.

Searle Turton, minister of children and family services, added that the government is doing everything it can to support affected families.

“We need to do everything we can to prevent this from ever happening again.”

Alberta NDP, Friends of Medicare, call out province for response to E. coli outbreak

Meanwhile, Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley said the government needs to explain why a commercial kitchen with a history of repeat offences was not checked for months before the outbreak.

Notley said a public inquiry is needed to determine whether systemic problems with the public health system played a role in the outbreak.

“I believe this tragedy was avoidable,” said Notley.

“What these six inspections show was a clear pattern, in fact, of a failure by the people running this place to keep the children they serve safe.

“(And) from what we can tell, inspectors just walked away from this problematic site for almost five months. Why? We need answers on this.”

Friends of Medicare executive director Chris Gallaway says it was irresponsible for the province to inspect the facility until after an outbreak was declared.

“For days, families were left in the dark with no word or action from the Premier, Ministers or Chief Medical Officer of Health, while hundreds of young children became sick,” Gallaway said in a statement. “This is an appalling and unacceptable lack of leadership from the government.”

He also echoes Notley’s comments, saying the government must review and update its regulations, policies and procedures regarding investigations, safety, and “quality assurance in child-care facilities.”

“We can’t accept words without action,” Gallaway continued. “It’s not a coincidence that the lack of a proactive response to this horrifying crisis happened at the same time as cuts and privatization continue to weaken our public health and health care systems.”

-With files from Courtney Theriault