The Will County Health Department is investigating five confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) potentially linked to Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen. The cases were identified over the past month, with patients ranging in age from 4 to 38 and residing in DuPage, Kane, Cook, and Will counties.

Four of the affected individuals required hospitalization, with three having been discharged as of Friday afternoon. The condition of the fourth patient was not disclosed. All five individuals reported visiting the pumpkin farm during interviews conducted by health officials.

The investigation began after the Will County Health Department received notifications from other county health departments and the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding positive STEC test results. Officials are working to determine how the infections occurred and whether there is a common source linked to the farm, reviewing visits from Sept. 29 to the present.

STEC is a strain of E. coli bacteria capable of causing severe illness. It is primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water, contact with animals or their environments, or person-to-person contact. Symptoms typically include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, vomiting, and occasionally low or no fever. The incubation period ranges from one to 10 days, often developing within three to four days after exposure.

Young children, especially those under five, face a higher risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can cause kidney damage. Older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems also remain vulnerable to increased severity.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm voluntarily closed its petting zoo as a precautionary measure and arranged for veterinary testing of its animals, which may carry E. coli even if appearing healthy. The farm cooperated fully with health authorities throughout the investigation. Food service areas and vendors at the farm were inspected on Oct. 21, with no issues reported.

Scott Bengtson, owner of the farm, issued a statement expressing concern for those affected and emphasized that no source of the illness has yet been confirmed. He highlighted the farm’s ongoing commitment to guest and staff safety since 1981, noting the presence of handwashing stations and regular cleaning protocols at the petting zoo.

The Will County Health Department has urged anyone who visited Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm since Sept. 29 and developed symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, or vomiting to seek medical attention promptly, especially if experiencing bloody diarrhea, signs of dehydration, or unusual fatigue. Health officials have also launched a confidential online survey to collect information from symptomatic visitors to help identify possible sources of exposure.

Preventative recommendations include thorough handwashing with soap and water after animal contact or handling food, washing hands before eating or food preparation, and avoiding touching the face following activities that might involve bacterial exposure. The farm remains open for the season until Nov. 8, but the petting zoo will stay closed pending further findings.