E. Coli Outbreak at Pumpkin Farm Turns Deadly in SLO County

WHO:

KSBY News - The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department confirmed the death of one person infected in the outbreak.

KSBY News - Public Health Department Public Information Officer Tom Cuddy said, “This is truly a heartbreaking development, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by this outbreak. The entire team at Public Health extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

NY Post - Brookshire Farms’ owner spoke out, according to the article headline; the excerpt does not identify the owner or provide their remarks.

WHAT:

KSBY News - Health officials confirmed five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection and the death of one infected person.

KSBY News - The infection can cause diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting, and may lead to life-threatening complications, including kidney damage.

KSBY News - Brookshire Farms temporarily shut down during the investigation and reopened when officials said there was no longer an ongoing public-health threat.

NY Post - The farm reopened after a 10-day voluntary shutdown while the Department of Public Health investigated the outbreak’s source.

KSBY News - Health officials did not provide further information about the person who died.

WHERE:

KSBY News - Brookshire Farms is in San Luis Obispo; people who became ill had visited the farm around the same time.

NY Post - Brookshire Farms is in San Luis Obispo County, California.

WHY:

KSBY News - The farm shut down after the health department found that people who became ill had visited it around the same time.

KSBY News - Officials could not identify the exact outbreak source; testing did not find the particular E. coli strain in water, food or other samples collected from the farm.

HOW:

KSBY News - Health officials investigated by testing water, food and other samples taken from Brookshire Farms.

NY Post - Brookshire Farms underwent a voluntary shutdown during the source investigation.

(UPDATED November 11, 2026 07:02 UTC)

Health officials confirmed five E. coli cases linked to Brookshire Farms, including one death. The San Luis Obispo County farm temporarily closed during the investigation, then reopened. Officials couldn’t identify the outbreak’s source, and farm testing found no matching strain.