A Halloween open house scheduled for Oct. 19 to 20 and Oct. 31 at the Stock Pavilion has been canceled in the wake of an E. coli infection outbreak linked to a recent event at that facility, University Communications reported Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, the number of people believed to be infected'all of whom attended the Oct. 6 pancake tailgate party prior to the Wisconsin vs. Indiana football game'was 22, according to reports from University Health Services.
Of these people, 11 are confirmed as being infected, while test results on the other cases are pending. Most of those infected are UW-Madison students, including one who is currently listed in good condition at UW Hospital and Clinics. Two other reported cases involve children from the community.
Although the Oct. 6 cases are believed to be part of an isolated incident, the haunted house was canceled because it would have involved children who are at a greater risk for E. coli infections, UHS epidemiologist Craig Roberts said in a news release.
The Chancellor's Office will now assist the two student groups that the fund raiser was to benefit in making up funds lost by the cancellation. These groups are Saddle & Sirloin and the Collegiate Future Farmers of America.
Now, according to Roberts, UHS and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health are continuing to investigate the source of the outbreak. Results from this investigation will help determine guidelines for future Stock Pavilion events.
Students who attended the tailgate and experienced symptoms between Oct. 7 and 13 are encouraged to contact UHS at 265-5600. Other members of the community should see their local health care provider or public health agency.
