Preschool closes after 2 girls sickened by E. coli

EVERETT – A Snohomish County preschool has been temporarily closed while officials try to track down the source of an E. coli contamination that has sickened two students.

The Daily Herald reports the students, both under 5 years old, have been hospitalized. Snohomish Health District spokeswoman Heather Thomas said one has a potentially life-threatening complication that affects a person’s kidneys. Information on the other student’s condition wasn’t immediately available.

Thomas said the school in Monroe isn’t believed to be the source of contamination, but the 60 students and staff could have been exposed. They are all being tested for E. coli.

Health officials are working to contact those who’ve been at the school since July 11.

The school is being sanitized and is expected to be closed until Monday.