(ID 4723583 © Selectphoto | Dreamstime.com)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

reopened after ahs approval

Outbreak over after 16 cases of E. coli confirmed at Blackfalds daycare

Sep 20, 2024 | 10:26 AM

A total of 16 cases of Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) were detected in relation the the closure of Aspen Lakes Discovery Centre, which is a daycare in Blackfalds.

Thankfully, Alberta Health Services says the outbreak is now over.

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak was declared Aug. 23, and it was upgraded to a STEC outbreak three days later. But it can now be declared over since no new cases have arisen since Sept. 7.

There was one case initially identified by AHS, prompting the daycare’s closure.

After an investigation into the source, the facility was approved to reopen Sept. 10, and AHS believes the risk of illness is low.

reopened after ahs approval

Outbreak over after 16 cases of E. coli confirmed at Blackfalds daycare

4h ago

a shift has occurred, says organizer

10th annual Recovery Day to celebrate community successes this weekend

7h ago

FEBRUARY 2021 INCIDENT

ASIRT finds Maskwacis RCMP officer's use of force justified

21h ago

But that wasn’t before 15 more cases were confirmed.

“Investigation determined that the outbreak most likely resulted from person-to-person transmission rather than from a food item served by the daycare,” AHS says.

“How the STEC was first introduced into the daycare could not be determined.”

With the outbreak lifted, staff and children from this facility who newly develop gastrointestinal symptoms will not be required to be tested for STEC, AHS adds.

“As always, staff or children who are ill should not attend childcare facilities, and those with gastrointestinal symptoms should not return to any childcare facility until their symptoms have been resolved for 48 hours,” the health authority concludes.

“Failure to do so can contribute to spread of the illness. Staff and families are encouraged to continue to watch for E.coli or other illness symptoms as part of a vigilant approach to reducing the chances of spread.”

—

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter by visiting rdnewsNOW.com. You can also download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.dre