Dozens now sick with E. coli after Milk Makers Fest

Four people have been hospitalized and at least 28 others have been sickened with dangerous E. coli infections linked to the Milk Makers Fest attended by more than 1,000 schoolchildren in Lynden, Whatcom County, health officials said.

At least one child has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of infection with shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7.

Adults and children are among the 17 laboratory-confirmed or associated cases and 15 probable cases updated Thursday, said Dr. Greg Stern, health officer for the Whatcom County Health Department, which is investigating the outbreak.

The children include first-graders who attended the April 21-23 event at the Northwest Fairgrounds and older kids who may have helped set up the event.

The incubation period is one to eight days after infection, which means more cases could be detected, Stern said.

Officials are interviewing children and families to determine whether there’s a possible common source, including food, water or shared activity, including the petting zoo or contact with livestock.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, infections are caused by bacteria found in the guts of many mammals. The bacteria can contaminate food, water and surfaces and it takes only a few to produce dangerous illness.