MONROE – The Monroe Montessori School was closed Wednesday after two young children were hospitalized with E. coli.
The girls are both under the age of 5 and were hospitalized. Only one of the girls has a confirmed kidney issue called HUS, which indicates a more serious case of E. coli. Her condition has not been released.
Sixty other preschoolers and 10 staff members may have been exposed. Everyone who has been at the school since July 11 is being tested. Test Kits will be sent to parents Thursday, and results can take about five days.
Although it is not the source of the E. coli, the school is also being sanitized.
“The exact source of contamination in E. coli can be very difficult to identify, but at this point we believe the children were likely exposed to livestock near their home,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer and director of the Health District.
The symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Handwashing is the most effective way to reduce chances of getting sick.
