After weeks of diligent monitoring and thorough investigation, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has officially declared the E. coli outbreak at a central Alberta daycare to be over.
The outbreak, which was first reported on November 26, 2021, affected 16 children and 2 staff members at the daycare. AHS immediately launched an investigation and implemented strict infection control measures to contain the spread of the bacteria.
According to AHS, the source of the outbreak was traced back to a contaminated food item that was served at the daycare. The specific food item has not been disclosed, but AHS has confirmed that it was not prepared on-site.
Throughout the course of the outbreak, AHS worked closely with the daycare to ensure that all necessary precautions were taken to protect the health and safety of the children and staff. This included thorough cleaning and disinfection of the facility, as well as providing guidance on proper hand hygiene and food handling practices.
AHS also conducted extensive testing to confirm that the outbreak was contained and that there were no further cases of E. coli infection at the daycare. All test results came back negative, leading to the official declaration that the outbreak is now over.
While the outbreak may be over, AHS reminds the public to always practice good hygiene and food safety measures to prevent the spread of bacteria and other illnesses. This includes washing hands regularly, cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding cross-contamination.
The daycare has also taken additional measures to prevent future outbreaks, including implementing stricter food safety protocols and increasing staff training on infection control.
AHS would like to thank the daycare and all those involved for their cooperation and swift action in containing the outbreak. The health and safety of Albertans is always a top priority, and AHS will continue to monitor and respond to any potential health risks in the community.
