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Petting Zoo of Interest in E. coli Cases

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

A petting zoo in Greenville, N.C., has been temporarily closed as a precaution while health officials investigate the cause of at least two recently confirmed E. coli infections in children.

The infections were among several identified last week by the Beaufort County Health Department. The department has been working with area schools to make parents aware of a potential outbreak and WNCT-TV reported that the petting zoo will remain closed until officials know where the infections are coming from. The health officials have reminded parents of the importance of hand-washing after adults or children come in contact with livestock or other farm animals.

The station said the county also is working with health care clinics to indentify and test for additional cases.

E. coli symptoms can appear one to 10 days after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria. The symptoms range from mild diarrhea to severe abdominal cramps and bloody stools, but you may display no symptoms at all.  E. coli is a leading cause of bloody diarrhea. These symptoms are more severe in children, the elderly and in those who have another illness. 

Though most people recover from an E. coli infection, some of those infected develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a severe and life-threatening complication.  

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on November 02, 2008 (boomark / email).