A popular California pumpkin patch linked to an E. coli outbreak that landed three children in intensive care has pulled the plug on the rest of its Halloween season.

Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo County announced it would remain closed through the end of pumpkin season as health officials investigate five confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli tied to visits to the farm.

The closure comes after three infected children were hospitalized in serious condition in a pediatric intensive care unit, according to the county’s Department of Public Health.

The farm initially shut its doors voluntarily Tuesday before announcing Wednesday it would stay closed while awaiting test results from county health officials.

“We are waiting on the test results from the county health department,” the farm said in a social media post. “Until then there is nothing to comment on.”

“We have opted to remain closed for the remainder of the pumpkin season until test results have been determined.”

County Health Officer Christy Mulkerin told KSBY that the five patients were infected with a strain of E. coli that “can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting and then in young children cause renal disease and sometimes kidney failure.”

Although investigators have yet to pinpoint the exact source of the outbreak, all five infected individuals had visited Brookshire Farms, officials said.

“We know that there’s a link that these people all went to Brookshire Farms but we’re still investigating exactly how they could’ve gotten sick,” Mulkerin said.

The farm’s owner said Brookshire Farms is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Health officials are urging anyone who visited the pumpkin patch between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 to watch for symptoms, particularly gastrointestinal problems such as severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea.

Symptoms typically develop three to 10 days after exposure, and young children face a heightened risk of serious complications.

“We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention,” Mulkerin said.

The department has also issued pumpkin-handling safety guidance, urging visitors to clean pumpkins before handling them and wash away dirt and debris.

“Then wash any surfaces it touched with sanitizer/disinfectant such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide or vinegar water and dry thoroughly,” it added. 

People carving pumpkins should avoid touching them after carving, wash their hands and thoroughly clean any surfaces the pumpkins touched before disposal. Officials also stressed the importance of washing hands with soap and water after handling pumpkins.

The investigation remains ongoing, with testing results from the farm expected to take several days.

The California Post reached out to Brookshire Farms and the county health department for additional comment.