Two individuals who contracted E. coli infections in upstate New York in late June may have come into contact with the bacteria at a lake, health officials said Wednesday. The two people who fell ill both swam at the Nathaniel Cole Park in Broome County on June 23 before falling ill, a sign that that lake at the park may have been the source of their infections, according to the Broome County Department of Health. While this fact makes the swimming venue the possible site of infection, it is also “possible they were contracted from other sources,” said BCDH director Claudia Edwards. “It’s important to note that more than 800 other individuals swam that day, and thousands more in the following weeks, and there are currently no other confirmed cases of E. Coli,” Edwards said in a statement Wednesday. Water at Cole Park is tested regularly for E. coli by the Broome County Parks, Recreation and Youth Services, which is in charge of park operations. On June 28, E. coli levels in the water there were high, according to BCDH. However, in the follow-up test on July 12, there was no significant elevation in E. coli levels. “Standard procedure for monitoring these levels is based on averaging the three most recent tests. The average for the three most recent tests is below the standard for public health risk,” noted Edwards in her statement. The parks department has increased the its testing in light of the possible link between the park and the two E. coli cases. “The Health Department is currently conducting a thorough safety investigation into the cases to ensure public safety,” Edwards said in a statement Wednesday. The patients are both recovering from their illnesses, according to BCDH. The agency is reminding families to practice safe behaviors when visiting public swimming areas to prevent the spread of bacteria, including not letting sick children in the water, not letting children swim with soiled diapers and encouraging children to try to avoid swallowing water.
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