An E. coli outbreak has sickened three children in Kentucky and Indiana, health officials say. All three of the children required hospitalization, Amanda Turney, spokeswoman for the Indiana State Department of Health, told Food Poisoning Bulletin. One child has been treated and released, but the other two remain hospitalized.
A specific source of the outbreak has not been identified. However, all three children visited Huber’s Orchard, Winery and Vineyards in Starlight, IN between September 20 and September 28. At least one of the children visited the petting zoo at Huber’s. Turney said at this time the petting zoo has not been identified as the source of the outbreak but that the health department is working with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
E.coli outbreaks have been linked to a number of petting zoos or live animal exhibits. A 20111 outbreak at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh sickened 25 people, four of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which can cause kidney failure, seizure, stroke and coma. In 2004, another outbreak linked to the North Carolina State Fair petting zoo, sickened 187, 15 of whom developed HUS.
About 15 percent of children with E.coli infections develop HUS. This complication usually affects children under the age of 10, but adolescents and adults can also get HUS. Complications of HUS are severe and can include: anemia, abnormal kidney function, kidney failure, gall stones, pancreatitis, nervous system problems, blindness, heart problems, seizure, stroke and coma.
