Alberta Health Services has declared an E. coli outbreak for six locations of a Calgary daycare and five additional sites that share a central kitchen.

"At this time, 17 lab-confirmed cases have been linked to the outbreak, as well as 12 individuals hospitalized, and up to 50 children presenting to hospital," AHS stated.

Families with children attending any of the listed locations are being sent letters advising of the outbreak. They are being asked to monitor for symptoms and present to an emergency department if necessary.

The following sites, all located in Calgary, have been issued a closure order until issues are resolved:

  • Fueling Brains Braeside
  • Fueling Brains West 85th
  • Fueling Brains New Brighton
  • Fueling Brains Centennial
  • Fueling Brains Bridgeland
  • Fueling Brains McKnight

As well as:

  • Braineer Academy
  • Kidz Space
  • Little Oak Early Education (formerly Mangrove)
  • Almond Branch School
  • Vik Academy in Okotoks

The predominant symptom associated with E. coli is diarrhea, which may be bloody. Symptoms usually start one to 10 days after eating food contaminated with E. coli. Children, the elderly and the immunocompromised are at greater risk of complications from this strain of E. coli.

AHS recommends that if you are concerned or start to develop symptoms, please call 8-1-1.

"If children develop severe symptoms (e.g. bloody diarrhea), please visit an urgent care clinic, an emergency department, or your family physician as soon as possible. It’s important that you mention your possible exposure to E. coli," AHS added.

Most individuals who get sick from E. coli generally improve on their own and without specific treatment within 10 days, but a proportion may develop more severe complications. Antibiotics are not necessary or helpful for this infection.

In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, HighRiverOnline and OkotokOnline encourage you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the HighRiverOnline or OkotoksOnline app.