Calgary E coli outbreak thought to be largest for young children

CALGARY — An emergency medicine doctor who studies Shiga-toxin producing E. coli says Calgary’s outbreak earlier this year is the largest known among children under five.

The outbreak, which was declared September 4th, led to at least 448 infections — including 39 children and one adult being hospitalized.

Dr. Stephen Freedman says there are still many questions to be answered.

An E. coli study is currently taking place at four Canadian hospitals — Alberta Children’s in Calgary, Stollery Children’s in Edmonton, SickKids in Toronto and McMaster Children’s in Hamilton.