Health officials in King County are investigating a new cluster of children infected with E. coli.
Six out of seven children infected have been hospitalized, including at least one who developed a kidney complication, according to Public Health -- Seattle & King County's blog post.
The children, all under the age of 14, developed symptoms consistent with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, health officials said.
Health officials are investigating after the cases were reported between April 22 to May 1. Illness onsets occurred between April 17-29. Health officials are interviewing the patients and their parents to determine any common exposures.
Parents are asked to monitor their children if they develop painful or bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts for more than three days, or is accompanied by fever or decreased urine.
STEC and other foodborne infections can occur year-round but may increase in late spring and summer, according to health officials.
