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Tennessee identifies day care involved in E. coli outbreak

This 2006 colorized scanning electron micrograph image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a strain of the Escherichia coli bacteria. E. coli is one of the germs that can cause sepsis. Once misleadingly called blood poisoning or a bloodstream infection, sepsis occurs when the body goes into overdrive while fighting an infection, sort of friendly fire that injures its own tissue. The cascade of inflammation and other damage leads to shock, amputations, organ failure or death. (Janice Carr/CDC via AP) This 2006 colorized scanning electron micrograph image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a strain of the Escherichia coli bacteria. E. coli is one of the germs that can cause sepsis. Once misleadingly called blood poisoning or a bloodstream infection, sepsis occurs when the body goes into overdrive while fighting an infection, sort of friendly fire that injures its own tissue. The cascade of inflammation and other damage leads to shock, amputations, organ failure or death. (Janice Carr/CDC via AP)

By Associated Press June 8, 2018 1 min read

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Department of Human Services has identified a day care where several children have had E. coli.

News outlets report that the temporary closure of Kids Place Inc. in Mascot comes amid an investigation by the department into a string of E. coli cases. The four children diagnosed with it at the center haven’t required hospitalization.

Health department Director Martha Buchanan says they may have come in contact with animals carrying E. coli. The center has animals and is next to a private farm. But a day care center statement says the kids don’t interact with animals.

The health department is investigating several E. coli cases in kids and says in some instances, children may have consumed raw milk from French Broad Farms. Buchanan says the milk is being tested.