Published Date: 2001-08-16 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli O157?, county fair - USA (Wisconsin)
Archive Number: 20010816.1937

E. COLI O157?, COUNTY FAIR - USA (WISCONSIN)
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail, a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 15 Aug 2001 7:25 PM ET
From: Martha Cosgriff <mcosgriff@hotmail.com>
Source: Associated Press [edited]

Health officials said Wednesday [15 Aug 2001] that 8 people have been
sickened in an _E. coli_ outbreak that may be linked to a county fair, and
51 other possible cases are being investigated. Currently 3 children are
hospitalized.
The Ozaukee County health department said the confirmed cases were among
people who attended the Ozaukee County Fair from 1-5 Aug 2001, but the
source of the bacteria is still being investigated.
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has treated 5 children with potentially
deadly _E. coli_ infections, said spokeswoman Melissa Douglas. It was not
clear Wednesday if the 5 patients were among the 8 cases counted by Ozaukee
County, which neighbors Milwaukee.
Douglas said parents of the 3 children still hospitalized requested that
information on their conditions not be released.
Health officials were questioning other people who showed symptoms to
confirm whether they had _E. coli_ infections and to try to identify the
source of the bacteria, said Mary DeLuca, Ozaukee County public health
assistant director. "We are at the very, very beginning of this
investigation," DeLuca said.
_E. coli_ O157:H7 is a bacterium that causes bloody diarrhea, stomach
cramps, fatigue, and nausea, but can lead to fatal complications. Younger
children, adults with other health problems, and older adults are most
susceptible.
The source of the disease may have been contaminated food or water, or an
adult or child petting an infected animal, said Glenda Madlom, Ozaukee
County public health director. County health officials would not say where
they were focusing their investigation.
State inspectors conducted routine visits at the fair on 1 and 2 Aug 2001,
said Thomas Sieger of the state Department of Health and Family Services.
Ken Riemer, president of the Ozaukee County Fair Board, said fair officials
accompany state inspectors and would have known about any health violations.
This is the third major _E. coli_ outbreak in the Milwaukee area in a year.
More than 20 students at Bethesda Elementary School in Waukesha were
infected last October by a lunch in a school cafeteria, health officials said.
An outbreak of _E. coli_-related illness at 2 Milwaukee area Sizzler
restaurants last summer sickened more than 60 people and killed a
3-year-old girl.
[Byline: Kate Kail, Associated Press]
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This is presumed to be an outbreak of disease caused by _E. coli O157, but
that is not explicitly stated in the article. Further information would be
appreciated. - Mod.ES]
.....................pg/es
*##########################################################*
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################