Girl's death after petting zoo visit 'very rare', health authorities say

In short:

A young Victorian girl has died weeks after she was hospitalised with a rare infectious disease.

The girl's parents say her illness may have been caused by a bacteria known as STEC, which she may have contracted at a petting zoo.

Health authorities confirmed the death on Thursday afternoon, but said the circumstances were "very, very rare".

A Victorian girl has died after a weeks-long battle against an infectious disease that her parents say may have been caused by bacteria she contracted at a petting zoo.

The girl's family, who did not wish to be named, confirmed she had been in hospital with a brain injury and kidney failure caused by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

An online post from the girl's family said she spent six weeks in an intensive care unit before her death on August 31.

The syndrome is caused by a type of bacteria known as STEC which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

In an online post, the girl's family said she likely contracted the bacteria from a farm "where she held, rode and petted animals".

Occurrence 'very, very rare'

Addressing reporters on Thursday afternoon, Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Clare Looker described cases of the bacterial infection progressing to HUS as "very, very rare".

She said only between one and five cases of HUS were reported in the state each year.

Dr Looker confirmed Victoria had recorded two cases of HUS so far this year, but no common cause had been identified and no facilities had been linked to both cases.

"We know this bacteria exists in many farm animals, so I don't think that shutting a single farm that is taking all the right public health protective measures would stop the risk for children or the community," Dr Looker said.

"At this stage, there's no consideration for that."

While she would not provide details of the girl's death, Dr Looker said petting zoos had formed part of the health department's investigation.

"We're comfortable that we have fully risk-assessed those settings and taken appropriate control measures," she said.

She urged Victorians to wash their hands after coming into contact with animals.

There have been 179 STEC bacteria notifications so far this year in Victoria, compared with 158 detections this time last year.

Dr Looker said this nonetheless represented a "marked increase" in detections since 2023, possibly because of increased testing and improved detection methods.

Premier expresses condolences

The girl has been remembered as courageous and a fighter on a GoFundMe fundraising page set up in late July to support her battle with the illness.

On the page, the girl's parents said their daughter had also tested positive for the illnesses RSV and parainfluenza after being admitted to hospital.

In a post following her death, the family described the emotional toll of her decline as "torture".

"The torture as a parent of not being able to console your own child, not through lack of trying anything and everything you possibly can but because they are truly inconsolable," the family's post said.

"The not knowing if your child will ever talk, smile, walk, run, play, or recognise you again."

Premier Ben Carroll said his thoughts were with the family.

"This is horrific, that a young person had lost their life," he said.

"I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family. I can't imagine what they're going through."

HUS is caused by the presence of certain E. coli bacteria known as STEC, which can be transmitted from animals to people and produces the life-threatening Shiga toxin.

The Department of Health said young children, pregnant women, older people and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of the syndrome.

HUS is considered an urgent notifiable condition in Victoria, with medical professionals required by law to notify government authorities upon diagnosis.

The department investigates all reported cases of HUS to identify potential sources of infection and prevent further spread.

"The loss of a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and loved ones grieving at this incredibly difficult time," a Victorian government spokesperson said.