State and county health officials are investigating an E coli outbreak in La Crosse County, Wis., that has sickened eight people and caused six pediatric hospitalizations.
The bacterial strain responsible for the outbreak is a "particularly nasty form, which produces a toxin that can be harmful to the body organs such as the kidneys," the La Crosse County Health Department said Wednesday. The six children hospitalized in the outbreak developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure.
"E coli is a bacterial infection that is more common during the summer months," said the health department. "It is transmitted by eating contaminated food or water and by contact with fecal material from infected persons or animals. Person to person spread of bacteria is possible and may occur in family settings, daycare centers and nursing homes."
Investigators have not identified a single source of contamination responsible for the outbreak.
To learn more about E coli, click here.
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