Rural Oregon Farm Linked to E. coli Outbreak

An outbreak of E. coli leading to the death of one person and sickening 16 other people in the state of Oregon has been linked to a rural farm in the state.

The Jaquith Strawberry Farm, located approximately 30 miles south of Portland, appears to be the likely epicenter of the crisis, according to officials at the Oregon Public Health Authority.

Authorities emphasized the fact that there was no evidence of reckless behavior on the part of the Jaquith Strawberry Farm. Indeed, they believe that the contamination may have been caused by the excrement of a deer or other animal.

The farm halted production of their strawberries at the end of July after the first reports of the E. coli outbreak surfaced. Since no contaminated strawberries have been sold since the start of the month, authorities believe that the worst part of the outbreak has passed. However, they do expect to see a few more cases of E. coli before everything is said and done.

Six people have already been hospitalized on account of the contaminated strawberries over the past week. In addition, an elderly woman died of kidney failure after consuming the tainted strawberries.