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Two girls who attend Carmel Creek School
have been sickened with E.coli infection, the San
Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.
The girls, ages 7 and 9, have been hospitalized
and are expected to recover, according to the HHSA.
Health officials have not determined the source
of the E.coli, but officials at Carmel Creek
notified parents on Wednesday as a precaution, according to Principal Terri
Davis.
"The school has not been named as the
source, but we appreciate their cooperation during this investigation,''
said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer.
"We emphasize to the public that it is critical to practice
appropriate food safety habits and good hand hygiene to prevent infectious
diseases like E.coli from spreading."
Davis said that the situation at the school was calm
Thursday morning with school parents being "incredible" and
keeping themselves informed.
"We weren't the source, we know that,"
said Davis.
"It isn't in any way a reflection of our school's cleanliness or our
food program. We always work really hard to make sure everything that we do
is good for kids and safe for kids."
E.coli can come from a number of sources, including lettuce,
raw milk, unpasteurized apple cider, undercooked hamburger or from petting
zoos and animal exhibits, county health officials said.
E.coli infection often causes abdominal cramps and bloody
diarrhea. There is usually little or no fever, and the illness typically
resolves itself in five to 10 days. But a small percentage of those
infected may develop a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and
kidney failure may occur.
Those most at risk for food-borne illnesses
include young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune
systems.
For more information on E. coli contact the County of San Diego Health and Human Services
at (619) 515-6620.
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