Officials: 4 Arizona kids caught in E. coli outbreak

Arizona health officials are investigating four cases of E. coli infections in children under 5 years old that likely came from eating soynut-butter-containing products from the SoyNut Butter Co.

The cases reported in Maricopa and Coconino counties have been linked to day-care facilities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. All four children in Arizona that were sickened had to be hospitalized but have since recovered.

The ADHS recommends that people not consume I.M. Healthy brand soynut butter and soynut-butter-containing products from the SoyNut Butter Co. until further notice.

“Our disease detectives are working on the state and local level to rapidly identify the source of this outbreak,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The four cases reported in Arizona are part of a larger, multistate investigation of five states where a total of 12 cases have been reported. The Arizona children became ill on or after Jan. 16 and reported eating soynut-butter products, confirmed the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, which also will be testing samples to identify products involved in the outbreak. “As we determine suspected food sources that may be linked to E. coli, our state lab will test those products to determine if there’s a match,” Christ said.

E. coli infection symptoms range from mild to severe and last between five and seven days. Most vulnerable are pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with immune systems compromised by disease.

“Individuals with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping should seek medical attention if they develop bloody diarrhea or cannot drink enough fluids to keep hydrated,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for Maricopa County Department of Public Health.