Published Date: 2011-11-10 16:01:46
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> E. coli VTEC - USA (11): (NC) O157, livestock building
Archive Number: 20111110.3334

E. COLI VTEC - USA (11): (NORTH CAROLINA), O157, LIVESTOCK BUILDING
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 10 Nov 2011
Source: Charlotte (NC) Observer [edited]
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/10/2763259/fair-identifies-source-of-e-coli.html


As a Charlotte-area boy who contracted _E. coli_ at the state fair
prepares to leave the hospital, health officials say they've
identified the source of the outbreak that sickened 27 people. State
officials say the outbreak spread from the Kelley Building, one of the
fair's permanent structures where sheep, goats and pigs were housed
and judged. No other exhibits, foods or activities were linked to the
_E. coli_ infections.

State Epidemiologist Megan Davies said the illness is likely related
to animal contact, though the study did not implicate any specific
animal or breed in the outbreak. "We know that _E. coli_ O157 is often
found in the intestines of ruminant animals, which include cows, goats
and sheep," Davies said. "These bacteria are shed in the animal's
feces, so if it is on the animal itself or surfaces around the animal
that someone touches, the bacteria can be transmitted to that
person."

Officials with the North Carolina Division of Public Health and the NC
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said they are working
to identify additional protective measures for fairgoers in the
future. Investigators from the Division of Public Health conducted
interviews in person and over the phone to find out what animal
exhibits, foods or attractions the victims came in contact with.

[Byline: Cleve R. Wootson Jr.]

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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
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[The outbreak enterohemorrhagic strain of _E. coli_ has now been
stated in the press to be O157, and statistical analysis has linked
the exposure to a specific building housing livestock. The mechanism
of acquisition of the pathogen has not been established and may not
be. Most outbreaks of this sort are related to direct hand-to-mouth
spread after touching the animal or its environment. - Mod.LL]

See Also

E. coli VTEC - USA (10): (NC) fair link, more cases 20111103.3281
E. coli VTEC - USA (09): (MO), O157, poss. produce link 20111103.3276
E. coli VTEC - USA (08): (MO), O157, poss. produce link 20111101.3246
E. coli VTEC - USA (07): (NC), fair link 20111101.3244
E. coli VTEC - USA (06): (MO), O157, poss. produce link 20111029.3224
E. coli VTEC - USA (05): (NC) more cases 20111029.3222
E. coli VTEC - USA (04): (NC) more cases 20111027.3201
E. coli VTEC - USA (03): (MO) RFI 20111027.3195
E. coli VTEC - USA (02):(NC), possible fair link 20111027.3193
E. coli VTEC - USA: (NC) RFI 20111026.3184
E. coli O157 - USA (08): (WI) more cases 20111016.3101
E. coli O157 - USA (07): (WI) 20110915.2819
E. coli O157 - USA (06): (OR) strawberry, deer dropping source
20110819.2520
E. coli O157 - USA (05): (PA) lake swimming 20110817.2493
E. coli O157 - USA (04): (PA) lake swimming 20110810.2428
E. coli O157 - USA (03): (OR) strawberry 20110809.2413
E. coli O157 - USA (02): (AL) water park 20110629.1981
E. coli O157 - USA: Lebanon bologna, alert, recall 20110325.0946
E. coli O157 - North America: hazelnut, alert, recall 20110310.0777
2010
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E. coli O157 - USA (07): cheese 20101105.4007
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - USA (07): O26, ground beef, alert, recall
20100831.3097
E. coli O157 - USA (06): ground beef, alert, recall 20100809.2715
E. coli O157 - USA (05): (CO, NY), bison meat, alert, recall
20100709.2286
E. coli O157 - USA (04): (MN) unpasteurized milk 20100607.1900
E. coli O157 - USA (03): (MN) unpasteurized milk 20100528.1776
E. coli O157 - USA (02): (WA), day care 20100413.1200
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - USA (02): (OH, MI, NY) O145 20100505.1460
E. coli VTEC non-O157 - USA: (MI, OH) 20100427.1358
E. coli O157 - USA: 2009, tenderized non-intact steak 20100108.0092
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