Calgary faces heightened concerns over child health as another daycare facility, unrelated to the primary outbreak, is shuttered due to a child testing positive for E. coli. This comes on the heels of a significant E. coli breakout, causing severe health complications for numerous children.
Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith announced the indefinite closure of a primary kitchen suspected of being at the center of the E. coli spread. This kitchen had supplied multiple daycares in Calgary. Smith has urgently mandated a sweeping examination of all communal kitchens serving the city’s daycare centers.
Addressing parents of children who suffered due to the outbreak, Premier Smith pledged a $2,000 relief payment and urged affected daycare facilities to refund any fees collected during the outbreak’s height. “We are committed to identifying the root of this issue and implementing stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” said an emotional Smith.
Disturbing details emerged from an inspection report dated September 5 for the primary kitchen, KidsU Centennial – Fueling Minds Inc. Reports revealed significant health breaches, including a cockroach infestation and inappropriate food handling and storage practices. This discovery has ignited debates on the strictness of health inspections and the overall safety protocols of shared kitchens.
Leading the review of central kitchens is the Minister of Children and Family Services, Searle Turton. Smith expressed confidence in Turton’s ability to bring about essential changes. “Parents must be confident in the safety measures put in place. We have zero tolerance for practices that put our children in harm’s way,” emphasized Smith.
The severity of the situation became even more apparent when Dr. Mark Joffe, Alberta’s chief medical officer, reported 337 confirmed E. coli cases linked to the outbreak. A staggering ten children are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a severe kidney disease, with six currently on dialysis.
However, questions arise about the kitchen’s continued operation despite past infractions. Dr. Joffe confirmed that while there were prior concerns, the ability to shut down a kitchen permanently lies outside the powers of the Alberta Health Services (AHS) under the current Public Health Act. Premier Smith is now considering a possible revision of the statute governing kitchen operations.
Furthermore, AHS announced a new case of E. coli at the JCC Childcare. Rhona Shore, Executive Director of Calgary JCC Childcare, believes the case resulted from contact with an affected child from another facility. In response, they’ve temporarily closed their doors, ensured that families received testing kits, and conveyed their wishes for a quick recovery to the affected family.
Parents of the affected children have voiced their concerns and frustrations. John Greenhow, a parent of a recovering child, said, “I want a rigorous examination of current regulations. Our children, the most vulnerable in our community, deserve better.”
Fueling Brains, which shares ownership ties with the primary kitchen in question, Fueling Minds, has expressed their commitment to regaining the trust of parents.
As the situation continues to develop, affected families and the community at large await further information and action from both health officials and the government.
