41 Cases of E-Coli Linked to Lebanon Goat Farm

The number of cases of E. coli linked to Oak Leaf Dairy Farm, a goat farm in Lebanon, has increased to 41, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The Department of Health and other agencies began to investigate Oak Leaf Dairy Farm on March 24, when six or seven people who were in contact with the goats contracted E. coli. Investigators and the number of cases has grown. 

The people who have gotten sick are between 9 months old and 45 years old and include seven adults and 34 children under 18 years old. Twenty-two of the children are 5 years old or under.

Ten patients have been hospitalized and one is still in the hospital, according to the state Department of Public Health.

Three of the hospitalized patients were diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare but serious illness that affects the kidneys and blood clotting system. Two have recovered and were discharged from the hospital.

The Lebanon farm linked to the outbreak is temporarily closed to the public

The Department of Public Health said there is no evidence that the milk, cheeses, caramels, lip balms, soaps, and salves Oak Leaf Dairy sells caused the E. coli outbreak.  

The farm's milk and cheese products were pasteurized.  

The farm iis closed and the owners are cooperating with the investigation.

Mark Reynolds, the farm's owner, recently said he had never had E. coli linked to his farm before.

Officials from the Department of Public Health said they have determined that the exposures happened between March 6 and March 20 and the symptoms began between March 7 and March 24.  

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