The Division of Public Health of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with Local Health Departments is investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection in 81 people who attended the Cleveland County Fair.
Preliminary findings suggest animal exposure may be the source of this outbreak.
52 children* and 29 adults are known to be/have been affected by this outbreak.
Eleven individuals* have been or are currently hospitalized.
The county case counts are as follows: Cleveland County – 48, Gaston County – 11,* Lincoln County – 13, Catawba County – 1, Mecklenburg – 1, Union County – 2, Rutherford – 2, York County, South Carolina – 2, Cherokee County, South Carolina – 1.
*This number includes one death related to the outbreak
For more information on past E. coli outbreaks, See www.fair-safety.com.