Daycare to reopen after tragic child E. coli death
The Vancouver, Washington, home associated with a daycare E. coli outbreak that tragically killed a 4-year-old boy and sent three other children to the hospital could reopen Monday or sooner if testing indicates the pathogen is absent.
That’s what Clark County Public Health said in a news release.
The Fletch Family Daycare will “remain closed until those working in the day care who have tested positive for E. coli or displayed symptoms have two negative E. coli tests separated by 24 hours,” the news release said. “Clark County Public Health may allow the day care to reopen next Monday or sooner, pending the outcome of test results.”
The same testing protocol applies to children of the daycare before they are allowed to return or attend any other daycare center. Children are most likely to suffer a life-threatening complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection known as hemolytic uremic poisoning.
The first E. coli infection at the daycare was diagnosed March 19, but the home stayed open until it was shut down April 2. The child who died was the fourth to be diagnosed with an infection. Besides sickening the four children, seven other people associated with the daycare tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 even though they were asymptomatic, officials have said.
Larry Fletch, who owns the daycare with his wife, Dianne, sent an email to local media that said the tragedy was complicated by uncertainty because some illnesses were initially thought to be norovirus .
Families affected by the outbreak can call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) for answers to legal questions and a free case consultation. If we agree to take your case, you owe us nothing until you win. You may also contact our firm via the Internet; click here.
Tags: Daycare E coli, E. coli Death, E. coli HUS
