Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo County reopened on Nov. 6 following a 10-day voluntary closure linked to an E. coli outbreak that sickened at least 15 people.
Five individuals have laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157, while 10 others who visited the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 developed matching symptoms, the New York Post reported.
Three children required pediatric intensive care after developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of the infection. One of the affected patients, 6-year-old Camden Foy, remains in critical condition at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. His grandmother, Linda Strong-Foy, reported that the boy required intubation, blood and platelet transfusions, and multiple medications to stabilize his blood pressure.
Investigation Results at Brookshire Farms
San Luis Obispo County’s Department of Public Health collected environmental, water, and food samples from the property during the shutdown. While investigators identified other bacteria and different strains of E. coli, they did not find the specific O157 strain associated with the victims, according to KSBY News.
The facility, which features a 4.5-acre Sesame Street-themed corn maze, is located off Los Osos Valley Road. Although other coliform bacteria were detected in environmental samples, officials noted these findings do not establish the infection source.
County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin stated that the failure to pinpoint the exact source was not unexpected. She noted that bacterial contamination is often transient and difficult to detect through standard sampling methods.
Co-owner Responds to Outbreak
Brookshire Farms co-owner Shawn Callaway described the period of the closure as a time of “numbness.” Speaking to The Tribune on the day of the reopening, Callaway said, “I am destroyed.” Callaway noted the farm does not operate a petting zoo, which he identified as a common source of such outbreaks.
The farm’s owners expressed frustration that the county did not test the pumpkins for the bacteria. Callaway told The Tribune that officials declined to test the pumpkins because they did not have a standardized method for doing so.
According to the Sacramento Bee, the county clarified that testing was limited by the volume of potential sources and the time delay between the initial exposures and the investigation. Callaway stated that he does not believe the pumpkins were the source, noting that one group of infected visitors had no contact with them.
Public Health Guidance and Local Impact
Following the outbreak, public health officials cautioned residents to wash pumpkins and avoid handling those that had already been carved. These warnings led to the cancellation of several local pumpkin smash events in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.
Dr. Mulkerin later stated that the county did not intend to suggest that pumpkins were the primary source of the infection, telling The Tribune, “We’re really trying to emphasize to the public, ‘Please don’t be afraid of pumpkins.'”
Brookshire Farms Reopens and Gives Away Free Pumpkins
Brookshire Farms reopened at 11 a.m. on Nov. 6. In an effort to thank the community for their support and messages during the closure, the farm is giving away thousands of pumpkins for free. While the closure cost much during the peak season, Callaway emphasized that public safety was the priority, stating, "The loss is not important." It’s the safety to our public.”
Questions Regarding the Outbreak
Authorities confirmed five laboratory-positive cases of E. coli O157, with an additional 10 individuals reporting matching symptoms after visiting the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26, according to KSBY News.
No. While the Department of Public Health found other types of bacteria and E. coli strains on the property, they did not locate the specific outbreak strain in their environmental samples, as reported by KSBY News.
Yes. Brookshire Farms reopened on Nov. 6 after a 10-day voluntary closure, according to the Sacramento Bee.