Is a petting zoo the cause of the Arizona State Fair E. coli outbreak? It may be. Food Poisoning Bulletin heard from JP Martin, Media Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. He said, "On Nov 13, ADHS issued a Healthcare Advisory related to a two-fold increase of E. coli O157:H7, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), cases in the month of October, including an increase in hospitalizations involving hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication linked to this infection. The number of STEC cases reported over the last two weeks have been trending downward. "At this time, ADHS has not confirmed a specific source of this increase. This increase in STEC is currently under active investigation by local public health in partnership with … [Read more...]
Possible E. coli Outbreak at the Arizona State Fair Sickens Children
A possible E. coli outbreak at the Arizona State Fair has sickened children, according to news reports. The fair, held in Phoenix, in Maricopa County, was open from September 19 to October 26, 2025. Some parents of the sick kids said they visited the petting zoo. A nonprofit group, Parker's Promise, reported on illnesses on their Facebook page, stating that several children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. Petting zoos have long been known to be a source of E. coli. Ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats, carry E. coli in their intestines, but the pathogen does not make the animals sick. The bacteria is excreted in the animal's feces, which can … [Read more...]
New Mexico State Fair Cryptosporidium Outbreak Sickens 18
A New Mexico State Fair Cryptosporidium outbreak has sickened at least 18 people, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. The outbreak is "statewide" according to the press release. The Fair took place from September 7 to September 17, 2023. Illnesses are associated with exposure to livestock exhibited at a petting zoo at the fair. There are three patients with laboratory confirmed cryptosporidiosis infections, and an additional 15 clinically compatible cases who visited that petting zoo. The patients live in multiple counties accorded the state. There is no word on whether or not any of the patients were hospitalized, and we do not know the patient age range or illness onset dates. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that is spread by contact with animals … [Read more...]
Children Sick With E. coli After Fair Visit in 2 Tennessee Counties
There are elementary school children sick with E. coli infections in two Tennessee counties after they visited a local fair and had contact with animals in an exhibit there, according to news reports. The Northeast Regional Health Office is investigating this outbreak, which includes children from Sullivan and Washington counties. We do not know how many children are sick, if any have been hospitalized, or if any have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. That Office's Regional Medial Officer, Dr. David Kirschke, said in a statement, "The Northeast Regional Health Office and the Sullivan County Health Department are investigating several cases of illness caused by Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) among elementary school children in … [Read more...]
CDC Discusses 2022 Lucky Ladd Farms E. coli Outbreak
In the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for the week of July 21, 2023, the 2022 Lucky Ladd Farms E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is discussed. In that outbreak, 12 children were sickened after visiting the farm in Tennessee, and there were two secondary infections. Three week-long summer camps were held at that farm during the summer. Animal husbandry was taught; children aged 6 to 10 were assigned a baby goat to care for. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria live in the guts of ruminant animals such as goats, sheep, cattle, and deer, but the animal does not get sick. They excrete the pathogen in their feces. This outbreak was similar to petting zoo outbreaks which have occurred over the years. The Tennessee Department of Health conducted an environmental … [Read more...]
Lucky Ladd Farms Goats E. coli Outbreak Sickens 14 in Tennessee
A deadly E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with Lucky Ladd Farms goats in June and July of 2022 allegedly sickened 12 summer camp participants; two patients were secondary cases, according to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH). One child sadly died. A report on the outbreak was issued today. The pathogen that caused the illnesses was Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC). On June 22, 2022, the Tennessee Department of Health was told of a child who was hospitalized in Florida with an E. coli O157:H7 infection after attending a goat husbandry summer camp at that farm in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Three days later, TDH got a call from the same mother saying she knew of a 2-year-old patient hospitalized at Vanderbilt in Nashville with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). … [Read more...]
E. coli Sickens Five Children Who Attended the Georgia National Fair
E. coli has sickened five children who attended the Georgia National Fair, according to news reports. Three of the five children are hospitalized, according to Michael Hokanson of the Georgia Department of Public Health, who spoke to WMAZ. Hokanson added that the case count may increase as more lab results come in. And according to that article, Ginny Crouse is the mother of two of the children who are ill: Zoe, age one, and Campbell, three. And Stacey Wooddell's daughter Skyler also tested positive. Some of the children may have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, although that complication has not been officially disclosed. The children are recovering. Officials still do not know what caused these illnesses. Hundreds of people who attended the Georgia … [Read more...]
Georgia National Fair E. coli Outbreak Sickens at Least Four
An E. coli outbreak believed to be linked to the Georgia National Fair has sickened at least four children, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health and the North Central Health District. All of the children attended the Georgia National Fair that took place in Perry, Georgia, on October 7 to October 17, 2021. Public health officials are working with the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter to investigate these cases. All four confirmed cases are in children who live in Georgia. Three of those children have been hospitalized. One case has been confirmed as E. coli O157:H7, which is one of a number of particularly dangerous types of bacteria known as Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC). The Shiga Toxin produced by STEC E. coli can seriously damage kidneys and other … [Read more...]
It’s Petting Zoo Time! Do You Know How to Protect Your Kids?
With county and state fairs occurring around the country, especially after many closed last year because of COVID-19, parents need to know about petting zoos and the danger they can present. Since it's petting zoo time, do you know how to protect your kids? Children love small animals, and petting zoos are magnets to many of them. Many state fairs and county fairs offer these attractions. Unfortunately, these animals can harbor pathogenic bacteria that can make kids very sick. The most dangerous is E. coli bacteria, which occur naturally in the guts of ruminant animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. The animals themselves do not get sick, but they shed the bacteria in their feces, where it can contaminate the animals themselves and their environment. The CDC states that from … [Read more...]
It’s State Fair Time! Watch Out for E. Coli …
It's state fair time! State fairs around the country are in full swing. Some have ended, and some have yet to begin. These gatherings are celebrations of the harvest and of the hard work of farmers. But in the past, these fairs and other late summer and early fall gatherings have been the source of dangerous E. coli outbreaks. This year, an E. coli O157 outbreak at the Minnesota State Fair has sickened 11 people, hospitalizing six. One person has developed HUS. Most of the patients visited the Miracle of Birth exhibit, and had contact with ruminant animals. Earlier this year, a deadly E. coli outbreak at the San Diego County Fair sickened 10 people. Three people were hospitalized and one 2-year-old died. In 2014, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to the traveling Zerebko Zoo … [Read more...]
