Brookshire Farms, a family-favorite pumpkin patch in San Luis Obispo, California, voluntarily closed its doors Tuesday after county health officials linked it to a dangerous E. Coli outbreak that has already put three children in intensive care.
County Health Officer Christy Mulkerin told KSBY that five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli have been confirmed, all tied to visitors who spent time at the farm between October 16 and 26. The infected include multiple children, with three now fighting serious complications in the pediatric ICU.
“We have five people who are infected with a type of E. Coli that can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting and then in young children cause renal disease and sometimes kidney failure,” Mulkerin said.
The health department has not yet pinpointed the exact source of contamination at Brookshire Farms. The investigation spans the full eleven-day exposure window, leaving open whether the bacteria spread through petting zoo animals, produce, surfaces, or another farm feature common to fall attractions.
“We know that there’s a link that these people all went to Brookshire Farms but we’re still investigating exactly how they could’ve gotten sick,” Mulkerin continued.
The farm’s owner has pledged full cooperation with authorities, according to officials. Brookshire Farms will remain shuttered until environmental testing wraps up, a process expected to take several days.
“We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community,” Mulkerin added.
Health officials are urging anyone who visited the pumpkin patch during the October 16-26 window to watch for warning signs. Symptoms typically surface three to ten days after exposure and can escalate rapidly in young children.
“We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. Coli infection to seek immediate medical attention,” Mulkerin said.
The specific danger with this Shiga toxin-producing strain, known as STEC, is its potential to trigger hemolytic uremic syndrome. That complication attacks the kidneys and most commonly strikes children under five, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
“Anyone experiencing bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration or other concerning symptoms should seek medical attention,” officials added.
The San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health first flagged the cluster of cases after discovering that all five infected individuals had recently visited the same popular seasonal destination. While pumpkin patches and petting zoos draw thousands of families each autumn, they also carry documented risks of animal-borne bacterial transmission when hand-washing stations are inadequate or children touch animals and then their faces.
Mulkerin emphasized that the investigation remains active and that the voluntary closure gives investigators space to complete thorough environmental sampling.
Brookshire Farms sits in California’s Central Coast region, where autumn agritourism draws visitors from across the state to corn mazes, u-pick pumpkin fields, and harvest festivals. The closure during peak pre-Halloween season represents a significant disruption for the operation, though the owner has not publicly commented beyond the cooperation pledge relayed through officials.
The county expects test results from the farm environment within several days, which could determine whether Brookshire Farms can reopen before the holiday weekend.