Authorities rule out single venue link after child’s fatal petting zoo infection

Health authorities have not linked a single facility to the rare bacterial infection that killed a three-year-old Melbourne girl after a recent petting zoo visit.

The toddler died over the weekend after a weeks-long battle at Monash Children’s Hospital, where she suffered kidney failure and permanent brain damage.

She was one of two children hospitalised with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a severe condition caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) – after coming into contact with the bacteria following a petting farm visit.

The second child, a two-year-old boy, fully recovered.

Health officials said there is no evidence of wrongdoing by the farm or farms involved.

In a statement on Wednesday, the girl's grieving family remembered their daughter as "courageous" and "a fighter."

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‘She has a permanent brain injury’: Kids hospitalised after contracting bacterial infection at petting zoo

“She fought so hard, we all fought so hard,” the family said.

“It’s difficult to find words to express the depths of darkness.”

Addressing the media on Thursday, Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker extended her deepest condolences to the family.

She said STEC cases in Victoria have risen to 179 so far this year, up from 158 the same time last year.

There’s been a consistent rise since 2023.

“This is most likely reflective of increased laboratory testing and improved detection rather than a rise in cases in the community,” Looker said.

Health officials confirmed that the rise in STEC notifications does not correlate with an increase in HUS cases.

HUS remains extremely rare, typically affecting 1 to 5 young children annually in Victoria, with two cases recorded this year.

Authorities have not established a direct link between the two cases this year, noting it is not always possible to trace individual infections to a single source.

Looker said that shutting down a single venue would not eliminate risk or guarantee community safety, as STEC is naturally carried by livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats.

Farm animals generally do not get sick from carrying STEC.

She stressed that handwashing with soap and water is the single best defence against infection.

Parents visiting petting zoos are urged to ensure children wash their hands after touching animals, before eating, and after using the bathroom.

The public is also advised to “avoid undercooked meat, unpasteurised milk or juice, unwashed salad ingredients, and untreated water,” Looker said.

While initial STEC symptoms include common gastrointestinal issues like fever, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea, she said bloody diarrhoea serves as a key warning sign of potential HUS.

Looker said that most children recover fully from STEC, and the same is true for those who develop HUS.

There is no vaccine available for STEC.