Alberta health officials report 128 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli linked to outbreak at daycares

The number of lab-confirmed cases of E.coli connected to an outbreak at Calgary daycares has ballooned to 128, Alberta Health Services said in an update Thursday.

There are 11 Calgary daycares which have been issued a closure order until further notice following an outbreak of the shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which can cause health serious issues.

Additionally there are nine patients who have been confirmed as having hemolytic uremic syndrome. They are stable and receiving the appropriate care in hospital, Kerry Williamson, executive director, issues management with AHS, said in an emailed statement.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a disease which affects the kidneys.

There are currently 25 patients receiving care in hospital, Williamson said. Twenty of those are at Alberta Childrens Hospital and five are at Peter Lougheed Centre. Another three patients have been discharged from hospital.

AHS said it is also aware of three patients linked to the daycares that are receiving care outside of Alberta.

More to come...