Calgary daycare denies E. coli case, AHS says test results pending
Posted Jul 5, 2024 3:59 pm.
Last Updated Jul 5, 2024 6:01 pm.
A Calgary daycare says a child who initially tested positive does not have E. coli despite Alberta Health Services (AHS) saying they are still awaiting final test results.
A sign posted on the front door of Fueling Brains Academy’s West 85th campus on Friday says the company was told there was no actual case and they plan to reopen the location on Monday. The daycare said Thursday they were closing after a one-year-old student tested positive.
“After further testing, we were advised that the child who initially tested positive does not have E. coli,” reads the posted sign. “We are delighted to welcome everyone back to campus on Monday.”
In a statement to CityNews on Friday, AHS says they consider it a lab-confirmed case E. coli as they await final test results.
The health authority says there is no evidence of on-site transmission at the daycare and they do not believe E. coli was contracted at the location. No outbreak has been declared at the facility.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the daycare operator voluntarily closed the facility on Thursday to perform a deep clean,” reads the updated statement from AHS. “The facility will reopen on Monday, and facility staff will monitor and screen symptoms of daycare attendees and report to AHS daily.”
Parents are being asked to monitor their children’s health and contact a doctor if they develop E. coli symptoms. Symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
Fueling Brains was at the centre of a historic E. coli outbreak in Calgary last fall that ultimately led to 448 infections.
The outbreak was declared on Sept. 4, 2023 and was linked to a central kitchen used by the daycares. It lasted for eight weeks.
During that time, over 30 kids and one adult were hospitalized, and 23 patients were diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Of those, eight patients needed dialysis.
