Two children are believed sickened by E. coli strain

The Brainerd Dispatch says two reported cases of E. coli infections believed to have stricken two young children in the Brainerd lakes area have led to serious medical complications.
An E. coli outbreak is not suspected, and no links have been made between the two cases.
Both cases have progressed to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome occurs when the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. Most cases of acute kidney failure in children are caused by hemolytic uremic syndrome and most cases of this syndrome are caused by E. coli infections.
While one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome has been confirmed as being caused by the E. coli 0157:H7 strain, the results are not yet in about the second case.
There have been 17 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome reported in Minnesota this year and most cases have been caused by E. coli infections.