According to information from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the Arizona State Fair is the source of 13 E. coli illnesses in children. Those children all had contact with petting zoos or other animal exhibits before they got sick. The state fair was held from September 19 to October 26, 2025. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria can be shed by ruminant animals such as cows, goats, and sheep. Those animals do not have the vascular receptors for the Shiga toxins that STEC bacteria produce, so those toxins cannot destroy red blood cells in those animals as they do in people. Courtney Kreuzwiesner, Preparedness Communications Supervisor for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin, "The Maricopa County Department of … [Read more...]
After Arizona Fair E. coli Outbreak Bill Introduced For Handwashing Stations
After the Arizona fair E. coli outbreak, that sickened an unknown number of children, a bill has been introduced to the Arizona Senate requiring handwashing stations at petting zoos and animal exhibits. SB 1082 was introduced by Senator Kavanaugh. The state fair was held from September 19 to October 26, 2025. The bill would mandate that operators of these types of attractions must make sure that visitors wash their hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer right after leaving any area where animals are accessible to the public. In addition, an official would have to be present to supervise this process. And a sign must be prominently displayed at all entrances and exits containing this statement: "For the safety of all persons, participants must wash their hands on … [Read more...]
Is a Petting Zoo the Cause of Arizona State Fair E. coli Outbreak?
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...]
