A dangerous strain of E. coli that can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and kidney failure has been confirmed in Big Chico Creek, according to a Butte County Public Health Department press release on Wednesday.
While a no-swim advisory has been in place since July 18, it wasn’t confirmed until now that this strain of the bacteria was present in the creek.
Public health collected water samples on July 17 and 24 and sent them to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for testing.
The CDC found E. coli O157 in multiple locations of the creek, matching the strain that sickened several children earlier this summer — some of whom developed kidney failure — as NSPR previously reported. Families of some of those children are considering legal action.
“This is not your average creek bacteria — this is a new and dangerous strain of E. Coli that continues to be found in the creek this summer. If you’ve been thinking about taking a swim in the creek, please don’t.”Dr. Jarett Beaudoin, Butte County Public Health Officer
Three families have hired attorney Bill Marler, who specializes in foodborne illness and bacteria outbreak cases. He said swimming holes like Sycamore Pool in Lower Bidwell Park once seemed safe, but now need more monitoring to catch newer, more dangerous strains of E. coli.
“Fifty years ago, 40 years ago, you probably could swim in the Sycamore Pool and not think twice about it," Marler said. "But there's something that's really changed, and it's this really, really, really deadly pathogen."
Health officials say the contamination likely came from grazing animals or birds, not people. They say there is no evidence the bacteria came from human waste, despite speculation in the community. The advisory is expected to remain in place through the summer.
“This is not your average creek bacteria — this is a new and dangerous strain of E. Coli that continues to be found in the creek this summer,” Butte County Public Health Officer Dr. Jarett Beaudoin said in the today's release. “If you’ve been thinking about taking a swim in the creek, please don’t.”
Public health officials say they have not received additional reports of illness since the no-swim advisory took effect.
Have questions about the E. coli investigation? NSPR wants to help get them answered. Email us at news@mynspr.org
Sarina Grossi contributed to this reporting.
