Ill Child Blamed for Virus Outbreak

      WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) - A child who was ill but went to school anyway apparently contaminated a self-service food bar, resulting in an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 30 youngsters, four seriously.

      The Bethesda Elementary School student, who was ill with diarrhea, apparently contaminated food at the food bar three weeks ago, Donita Croft, an epidemiologist with the state Health Division, said Thursday.

      As a result of the outbreak, the Waukesha School District announced it will no longer use food bars in school cafeterias.

      Four children had to be hospitalized with a type of illness called E. coli O157:H7, and three of them were treated for hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure, other long-term health problems or death.

      Two of them remained at Children''s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa on Friday; no information on their condition was released.

      Nearly all of the other children who became ill ate at the food bar; some did not but had contact with youngsters who did. Food service workers were tested and ruled out as the source.

     

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