E. coli work continues

Officials continue to investigate the source of an infection of E. coli bacterium linked to an Oct. 6 UW Stock Pavilion tailgate event.

University Health Services staff members are collecting and analyzing detailed information from large groups of both affected and unaffected attendees. Investigators will compare their activities in the hope that they may pinpoint a possible cause. Environmental tests on surfaces in the Stock Pavilion are still pending.

Results of the investigation should be available within the next few weeks, says UHS epidemiologist Craig Roberts. However, it is also possible that the sources of the infection may never be identified.

It is now believed that a total of 35 people, including two Dane County children, became ill after attending the event. All have since recovered.

Students or parents with questions about any issue associated with the E. coli infection are asked to call the Dean of Students Office, (608) 263-5702. The university continues to evaluate events held in the Stock Pavilion on a case-by-case basis, pending the results of the investigation.