At least seven children have taken ill with E. coli after attending a daycare in South Carolina, this according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Tragically, one of the 2 year old victims died in May, while two others remain hospitalized. The outbreak has been traced back to the Learning Vine in Greenwood, SC, where officials have closed the day care center for thorough cleaning, allowing it to reopen under an agreement with the DHEC.
According to DHEC, all seven of the victims acquired E. coli, and to date at least four of the seven have been determined to be of the same serotype. The investigation into the outbreak, and further testing on victims, remains ongoing.
According to E. coli lawyer Ron Simon, this is just another in a string of outbreaks of E. coli and other pathogens, such as Salmonella, that have hit day care centers, schools, and other establishments targeting or serving children. “The problem,” says Simon, “is that kids are very hands-on, and these establishments need to take that into account and provide proper facilities and procedures to ensure that such dangerous pathogens, such as E. coli, are not spread among the children.”
At present, it remains unclear what broke down at the Learning Vine Day Care, but officials do believe the establishment can reopen. “Unfortunately,” says Simon, “it’s only after a heartbreaking event like this that many of the changes are made to ensure the safety and health of the children.” Simon also noted that a Learning Vine lawsuit may be necessary to find some of the answers many people will naturally have. Simon explained “the discovery process is a vital tool in learning what went wrong to make sure that it does not happen again.”
If you or a loved one have questions, call 713-335-4900 to talk to a lawyer at Ron Simon & Associates.
