Nine children have become sick with E. coli infections after visiting a Northern California beach, prompting a temporary closure. Capitola Beach in Santa Cruz County is closed while health officials investigate the possible source of the outbreak. Authorities have not yet determined how the children were exposed but believe it may have happened at the beach or in nearby waterways. Officials are collecting water samples from several locations around the area to test for contamination and identify any potential health risks. The investigation comes as San Luis Obispo County health officials are also looking into a separate E. coli outbreak at a Central Coast farm. That outbreak has resulted in one death. Officials have not established whether the two outbreaks are connected. Health authorities are urging the public to follow beach closure notices and avoid potentially contaminated water while testing and investigations continue.
