Third day-care center in Kittitas Co. hit by E. coli bacteria

YAKIMA -- Two children at a third day-care operation in Kittitas County are suspected of having contracted the E. coli bacteria, health officials announced.

The third facility, Foursquare Church Daycare and Preschool in Ellensburg, will remain closed through Friday, said Amy Diaz, spokeswoman for Kittitas County Public Health.

Eight youngsters have been confirmed to have the bacteria since the first case was reported June 25. Six additional cases are suspected, with test results pending.

The first reported patient was the only one who was not attending one of the three day-care facilities, Diaz said.

The siblings from the Foursquare day care are related to a patient from one of the other day cares. Those are the Creative Kids Learning Center and Little Tot Town day-care centers, which were closed Wednesday. As long as staff members test negative, both may reopen Wednesday, Diaz said.

Separating the children is key to stopping the outbreak, which health officials say is not directly related to the day-care centers.

Children from the facilities must test negative before they reattend.

Free test kits for children can be picked up and dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kittitas County Public Health Department. After hours and on weekends, kits are available at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital.

Symptoms of E. coli include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The illness is usually transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It can spread to others if the infected don't wash their hands after using the toilet or if people don't wash their hands after changing the diaper of an infected child.

EDITOR'S NOTE -- The headline and story have been corrected to reflect E. coli is a bacteria.