The grandfather of a 14-month-old diagnosed with E. coli after visiting PNE's petting farm says the toddler's parents have not left her bedside since her hospitalization.

"It's been very rough," Mike Neitzel told ctvbc.ca. "It's just awful."

"She is suffering, the poor thing. You can't explain to a little child and tell her why people are poking her with needles."

His granddaughter, Jacklyn, became sick four days after visiting the PNE petting farm. She is one of 11 children and two adults who are affected, Vancouver Coastal Health officials confirmed.

"By Friday her parents just thought she had the flu but it got much worse the next day," Neitzel said.

"Her diapers were totally dry because she was dehydrated. She wasn't urinating and had blood in her stool. She was very lethargic and was throwing up all the time."

Jacklyn was admitted to hospital Monday night with renal failure in her kidneys. Doctors began monitoring her blood after it was determined she had a very low blood cell count.

"They take blood three to four times a day," her grandfather said. "She's still staying really sick and she has to stay in the hospital."

Neitzel said his daughter told him she was very careful with the youngster at the petting zoo.

"Every time Jacklyn touched an animal or a fence my daughter cleaned her up with Wet Wipes but I guess it wasn't enough," he said.

"Caroline did what she could do to keep her clean, but sometimes kids fall down and they have their hands in their mouths as fast as possible."

Under investigation

Anna Maria D'Angelo, a spokeswoman for Vancouver Coastal Health, told ctvbc.ca, the exact cause of the E. coli outbreak has not been officially identified.

A public advisory was not issued because the annual fair had ended by the time health officials were alerted, D'Angelo said.

The incubation period typically lasts only a few days, she said.

Laura Ballance, a spokeswoman for the PNE, said there has never been a case of E. coli linked to the petting farm.

She said the farm had numerous hand sanitizing units located throughout the petting area, as well as hand-washing stations at the exits. Staff and signs posted throughout the farm reminded visitors to wash their hands, she said.

There was an outbreak of E. coli many years ago at the PNE that was linked to undercooked hamburgers.

Common E.coli symptoms include abdominal cramps and diarrhea.