3 Kids Hospitalized After E. Coli Tied to Pumpkin Patch

A fall outing to a Central California pumpkin patch has been tied to a serious E. coli outbreak that has hospitalized three children, who are said to be in serious condition. Health officials in San Luis Obispo County say five people in total have been infected with a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli and are investigating links to Brookshire Farms, a popular site with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a corn maze, per People. Visitors who were at the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 are being urged to watch for symptoms such as stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea and to seek prompt medical care.

Brookshire Farms says it's closed for the rest of the pumpkin season while tests are conducted. The outbreak follows a similar E. coli cluster linked to a pumpkin farm in Illinois earlier this month. The county health department offers tips on how to prep and handle both intact and carved pumpkins to maximize your family's safety, reports the San Luis Obispo Tribune.