A tragic incident has led to an investigation into a petting zoo after a young girl lost her life due to an E. coli infection, while her brother remains in critical condition in the hospital. The siblings fell ill shortly after visiting the petting zoo on July 9, prompting health officials to explore the facility as a potential source of the bacteria responsible for their illnesses.
Three-year-old Mia Thompson passed away on July 16, succumbing to the effects of shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which caused severe damage to her kidneys and neurological system. Her parents shared the heartbreaking news on their CaringBridge page, expressing their sorrow with the words, “Our precious little girl has gone to heaven.”
Mia’s parents, David and Sarah Thompson, detailed their final moments with her, stating, “We were able to bathe Mia and dress her in her favorite pajamas. We cherished the time to hold her without any tubes, showering her with love and kisses. She was truly the most amazing child.”
As the family mourns the loss of Mia, they are also focused on the recovery of her five-year-old brother, Jake, who remains hospitalized due to complications from the E. coli infection. Jake has required blood transfusions and is currently undergoing kidney dialysis. The family continues to update their CaringBridge site, sharing hopeful news about his recovery progress. “Jake’s lab results are still not ideal, but he didn’t need any transfusions or procedures today. We are managing his comfort and pain, and today has been a success,” they reported.
The Minnesota Department of Health has initiated an investigation to identify the source of the E. coli bacteria that infected the Thompson children. As part of precautionary measures, officials have requested that the petting zoo remove its animals from public display. State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Lisa Reynolds noted, “The zoo has been cooperative and helpful. However, our inquiry is ongoing, and we are considering multiple potential sources of the infection, not solely the petting zoo.”
Dr. Reynolds emphasized the need for proper hygiene when interacting with animals. “It’s crucial to wash your hands promptly after visiting animals and to avoid any hand-to-mouth contact. This includes refraining from eating or drinking around the animals and keeping pacifiers or bottles away during visits,” she cautioned.
E. coli can be contracted through various means, including contaminated meat, produce, swimming pools, tainted drinking water, or even swimming in infected lakes. In addition to examining the petting zoo, health officials are interviewing the Thompson family about their dietary choices and other locations they visited prior to their illnesses.
The siblings exhibited symptoms of severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea shortly after their visit to the petting zoo. It took several emergency room visits before tests confirmed acute kidney failure linked to the STEC bacteria.
While most strains of E. coli are harmless, certain variants can lead to serious health issues. Some strains are known to cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illnesses, and pneumonia. The STEC strain contracted by the Thompson children poses significant health risks, underscoring the importance of awareness and preventative measures.
To support the Thompson family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page has been created to assist with Jake’s ongoing medical expenses. The parents concluded their latest CaringBridge update with a poignant message: “Hold your children close tonight – I would give anything for just one more moment with Mia.”
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In summary, the tragic loss of Mia Thompson and her brother Jake’s ongoing battle against E. coli serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers associated with petting zoos and the importance of hygiene when interacting with animals. The investigation into the petting zoo continues, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.