E.coli outbreak at Saskatoon Farm reaches 68 cases: AHS

Alberta Health Services has provided an update regarding an E.coli outbreak at a popular restaurant south of Calgary last month.

The health agency says there are now 68 probable laboratory cases of E.coli stemming from the July outbreak at Saskatoon Farm in Foothills County near Okotoks.

It’s believed contaminated water was the culprit and anyone who had food or drinks at the restaurant between July 1 and July 18 is at risk.

AHS says there is also a parasite, entamoeba histolytica, connected to the 45 of the presumptive cases. The parasite can cause liver, lung and brain damage.

“As part of the laboratory testing, other pathogens including norovirus and rotavirus have been identified,” reads a statement from AHS. “It has yet to be determined if these pathogens can be linked to this investigation.”

Both the norovirus and rotavirus are commonly associated viruses with gastrointestinal illnesses.

Four people have been hospitalized in connection to the outbreak, including three people who have been discharged.

Anyone who was at the restaurant during the specified dates and is experiencing sympyoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain is advised to call Health Link at 811.

People without symptoms can pick up an asymptomatic testing kit from the APL Provincial Laboratory of Public Health at 3030 Hospital Drive NW. Those without symptoms can also visit their family doctor or call Health Link.

Saskatoon Farm voluntarily closed the restaurant on July 23 for one day and AHS ordered the immediate shutdown the same day. The rest of the venue remained open for business.