Five Sickened with E. coli – Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm Petting Zoo Closed

Petting zoos and E. coli. Here we go again.

The Will County Health Department (Joliet, Illinois) is investigating five laboratory-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that may be connected to visits to Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen. Health officials are working to determine how the infections occurred and whether there is a common source.

“The Will County Health Department is committed to a thorough investigation to better understand how these infections occurred,” said Sean Conners, Director of Environmental Health at the Will County Health Department. “We are working closely with Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, and the owners and staff have been fully cooperative. As a precaution, the farm has voluntarily closed its petting zoo and is arranging for animal testing. These steps are part of our broader investigation as we look at all possible sources of exposure.”

“Animals can carry E. coli bacteria even when they appear healthy, but animal contact is not the only way these bacteria can spread,” Conners added. “E. coli can also spread through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.”

The Health Department is asking anyone who experienced diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal illness after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm on or after September 29th to complete a confidential online survey. Anyone who visited the farm and develops symptoms – particularly bloody diarrhea or severe stomach cramps – should contact their healthcare provider. Signs of dehydration, decreased urination, or unusual tiredness require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of STEC infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting, with little or no fever. Symptoms begin one to ten days after exposure, typically within three to four days. Most people recover within a week, but young children, particularly those under five, are at risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also at greater risk. More information is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s STEC page.

This should not come as a surprise.

E. coli outbreaks have been linked to petting zoos, county and state fairs, and farm visits for decades – goats, sheep and calves can shed E. coli O157:H7 and other STEC while looking perfectly healthy. Fall is a particularly risky season, as pumpkin patches, corn mazes and harvest festivals put thousands of small children within arm’s reach of farm animals, hay and manure-contaminated surfaces. Marler Clark tracks these outbreaks at Fair-Safety.com, including a running list of outbreaks linked to fairs and petting zoos.

Prevention is not complicated. Hand-washing stations (soap and running water, not just sanitizer) at the exit of every animal area. No food, drinks, strollers, pacifiers or sippy cups in animal areas. Physical separation between animal contact and eating areas. Staff who actually supervise children. Animal health and manure management. The Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settingshas laid this out for years. Tips for families are here, and guidance for owners and operators is here.

Kudos to Bengtson’s for closing the petting zoo and cooperating with the investigation. We will be watching for the results of the animal testing and whether the case count grows.

E. coli: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli and HUS. The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $850 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to petting zoos, fairs, ground beef, raw milk, leafy greens, sprouts and more.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after visiting Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.