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 infection in 101 people who attended the Cleveland County Fair. Preliminary findings suggest animal exposure may be the source of this outbreak.
As of 1 p.m. Friday, 62 children* and 39 adults are known to be/have been affected by this outbreak. Thirteen individuals* have been or are currently hospitalized.
The county case counts are as follows:
Cleveland County – 59
Gaston County – 14*
Lincoln County – 14
Catawba County – 2
Union County – 2
Rutherford – 6
York County, South Carolina – 2
Cherokee County, South Carolina – 2
*this number includes one death related to the outbreak