E. coli sent six children to hospital in La Crosse

Cases could be related to private event in August 

Eight have been infected in La Crosse, including six children that ended up in the hospital in an outbreak of E. coli in La Crosse.

The La Crosse Health Department continues to investigate the outbreak. Public Health Educator Paula Sihla said this strain wreaks havoc on the body and produces toxins that damage the kidneys.

“It can be harmful to organs, especially young children,” she said.

Sihla believes some cases seem to be related.

“They’re linking some of the cases to a private event that was held in August,” she said. “If you have a child that’s had persistent diarehea that lasts more than two or three days, you maybe want to take them in.”

Sihla says every year some people are affected by E. coli.