Livestock building identified as source of state fair E. coli

From Meating Place
By Lisa M. Keefe

A permanent livestock building used at the North Carolina State Fair in October has been identified as the likely source of an E. coli outbreak in the state, the N.C. Department of Public Health said in a release on its website.

The Kelley Building is a permanent structure where sheep, goats and pigs were exhibited during the fair. No other exhibits, foods or activities were linked to the E. coli infections.

State Epidemiologist Megan Davies said the illness probably was caused by animal contact, although fairgoers reportedly were discouraged from touching the animals on exhibit, and handwashing stations were set up throughout the fairgrounds. The study did not implicate any specific animal or breed in the outbreak.

“We know that E. coli 0157 is often found in the intestines of ruminant animals, which include cows, goats and sheep,” Davies said in the release. “If it is on the animal itself or surfaces around the animal that someone touches, the bacteria can be transmitted to that person.”

Officials with the Division of Public Health and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said they are identifying additional measures they could take to protect fairgoers in the future.

As of Nov. 10, the state identified 10 cases of E. coli with the same DNA fingerprint, one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 16 cases of illness still under investigation.


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