California pumpkin patch closes following E coli outbreak

Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo County, California, has closed for the remainder of the Halloween pumpkin season following an E. coli outbreak. The New York Post and the San Francisco Chronicle both report that the outbreak has been linked to visits to the pumpkin patch. [1][2]

Health officials have confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli tied to the farm, according to the New York Post. The county Department of Public Health stated that three infected children were hospitalized in serious condition in a pediatric intensive care unit. [1]

The farm voluntarily closed its doors on Tuesday before announcing on Wednesday that it would remain shut through the end of the season. The New York Post reported that the farm is awaiting test results while investigators work to determine the exact source of the outbreak. [1]

California is the most populous United States state and the largest producer of fruits, nuts, and vegetables in the nation. [3][4]