E. coli outbreak declared at central Alberta daycare

A central Alberta daycare has been temporarily shut down due to an E. coli outbreak, and an investigation is underway.

Alberta Health Services says it is monitoring an emerging Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak at the Aspen Lakes Discovery Centre in Blackfalds, Alta., after a child who attended the centre tested positive on Friday.

An outbreak was declared later that day after it was determined multiple individuals who attended that facility had shown symptoms.

Alberta Health said three children and one staff member have tested positive for STEC as of 3 p.m. Tuesday. A total 161 people are considered exposed – 136 children and 25 staff members.

The source and cause of the outbreak were not immediately known.

AHS Environmental Public Health, which is leading the investigation into the outbreak, is reviewing cleaning, sanitation and isolation protocols. AHS says it is working with the daycare operator to manage the situation.

What does STEC do?

STEC often causes diarrhea with stomach cramps, and blood may also be present in stool. In some people, a more severe illness known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) may occur. HUS often results in hospitalization and can lead to long-term kidney problems.

While STEC illness can be caused by eating or drinking potentially contaminated products like undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk, it can also be spread from person to person, particularly among small children. Infected children can shed the bacteria in their stool.

The outbreak at the Blackfalds facility comes on the heels of a massive E. coli outbreak at Calgary child-care facilities last year.