The Tennessee Department of Health is investigating an E. coli outbreak that has sickened nearly 550 people at CLIMB Works Zip Line Canopy Tour in Gatlinburg, according to Knox.News.
Initial tests showed the presence of E. coli bacteria and total coliforms in CLIMB Works' water, according to Gail Harmon, assistant director at East Tennessee Region Health Department.
The Tennessee Department of Health, using CLIMB Works' online sales, emailed 2,901 surveys to individuals who visited the attraction between mid-June and early July. In total, 808 people responded to the survey, and 548 reported being ill.
"But that doesn't mean they were all ill," Ms. Harmon told Know News. "We will never have an accurate number of people."
The Tennessee Department of Health reported the facility was closed and has resumed operations after ongoing consultation from public health officials.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
North Carolina nursing homes face Medicare termination due to patient abuse allegations
Medical schools use innovative holograms to train nurses
Baby's dying heart brought back to life with mitochondrial transplants