The source of the E. coli outbreak is still under investigation, but all of the children who fell ill visited the animal areas, petting zoo, or at other contact with animals at the fair.
The fair subsequently closed all animal exhibits, including the petting zoo, on June 28. Inspectors also inspected food vendor stations visited by the children, but found no link to the E. coli outbreak.
Jedidiah Cabezuela, a 2 year-old boy who visited the fair on June 15, became ill on June 19 with a confirmed E. coli infection. He was hospitalized due to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is caused by E. coli. He died on June 24.
Three other children were hospitalized during the outbreak.
As of July 10, 2019, there are 10 confirmed cases of E. coli and one probable case that were reported in this outbreak.
People with a Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) infection typically start feeling sick within 3 to 4 days after ingesting the bacteria. Symptoms often include severe abdominal cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
Source: Officials confirm 10 cases in deadly E. coli outbreak possibly linked to fair
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