A tragic incident has occurred following a visit to a petting zoo, where a young girl lost her life after contracting a strain of E. coli, while her older brother remains hospitalized. The siblings fell ill shortly after their visit on July 9, prompting health officials to investigate the zoo as a potential source of the bacteria.
Three-year-old Mia Thompson passed away on July 16 due to severe complications from shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which caused significant damage to her kidneys and nervous system. Her parents shared the devastating news on their CaringBridge page: “Our darling girl lost her fight and went to heaven last night.”
In their heartfelt post, parents Mark and Lisa Thompson recounted their final moments with Mia, saying, “We were able to give Mia a bath and dress her in her favorite pajamas. We held her close without any tubes, snuggling and kissing her. She was the most wonderful girl. Our hearts are shattered.”
As reported by local news, the Thompson family is not only mourning their loss but also focusing on the recovery of five-year-old brother Jake, who remains in critical condition. He has undergone blood transfusions and is currently on kidney dialysis. His parents are providing regular updates on his progress through their CaringBridge site, with the latest report offering a glimmer of hope: “Jake’s lab results are still concerning, but he didn’t require any transfusions or procedures today. We managed to keep him comfortable and his pain under control.”
The Minnesota Department of Health is currently investigating the source of the E. coli infection that affected the Thompson children. According to Fox9, as a precautionary measure, officials have requested that the petting zoo remove its animals from public display during the ongoing investigation.
State Public Health Veterinarian Sarah Johnson stated, “The zoo has been very cooperative and helpful. However, it’s crucial to remember that we are exploring multiple potential sources, not just the zoo.” She emphasized the importance of washing hands immediately after contact with animals and avoiding eating or drinking around them.
E. coli can also be contracted from sources beyond animal contact, including contaminated food, water, and swimming pools. Health officials are also inquiring about the children’s diet and other locations they visited leading up to their illness.
The siblings began showing symptoms, including severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, the same evening they visited the zoo. It took several emergency room visits before tests confirmed acute kidney failure caused by the STEC bacteria.
While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some can lead to serious health complications, including diarrhea and respiratory issues. The STEC strain contracted by Mia and Jake poses even greater risks.
If you’re interested in assisting the Thompson family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Jake’s ongoing medical expenses.
In their poignant CaringBridge update, the parents concluded with a heartfelt reminder: “Hold your little ones close tonight—I’d give anything to do that with Mia again.”
For those exploring options for starting a family, consider checking out our detailed guide on home insemination, featuring resources like this one and this excellent overview.
Summary
The story highlights the heart-wrenching loss of a young girl due to E. coli after a petting zoo visit, while her brother fights for recovery. Health officials are investigating the source, urging safety precautions when interacting with animals. The Thompson family seeks support through a GoFundMe page amidst their tragedy.
Keyphrase
E. coli petting zoo investigation
Tags
home insemination kit, home insemination syringe, self insemination