Children Contract E. Coli at Minnesota Petting Zoo

Three children between the ages of 15 months and 7 years contracted a strain of E. coli after coming into contact with animals at a Minnesota petting zoo, the state health department reported.

One is currently hospitalized with a serious complication as a result of the infection. Called hemolytic uremic syndrome, the condition results when red blood cells are prematurely destroyed and clog the kidneys' filtering system, possibly causing life-threatening kidney failure.

The others are recovering and have not been hospitalized.

According to the state health officials, the department's routine monitoring resulted in the identification of the E. coli cases. Follow ups with others who visited Dehn's Pumpkins are underway; so far, two people have reported symptoms consistent with infection and are being tested.

The farm's owners, meanwhile, are cooperating fully with the investigation and have prohibited access to the cattle and goat areas, officials report.

The strain of E. coli identified is commonly found in animals such as cattle and goats and is not unique to the particular farm. In fact, outbreaks associated with contact with farm animals are documented every year in Minnesota.

Most individuals become sick from farm animals by getting bits of their feces on their hands, which they then consume during hand-to-mouth activities such as eating.

"Contamination can be present on the fur or in the saliva of animals, on the ground where the animals are kept, or on surfaces such as fence railings of animal pens," the health department stated.

The best way to prevent infection is to wash one's hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately afterward. According to officials, hand sanitizers offer limited protection in the case that the hand is visibly dirty.

Symptoms associated with the concerned strain of E. coli include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and bloody stools, though only a low-grade fever if any.