20 sickened by E. coli in N.C.; Toddler dies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. North Carolina health officials say a child has died from an E. coli infection contracted at the Cleveland County Fair.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the death Saturday. Fourteen children and six adults who attended the fair have gotten sick with the bacteria.

Sources told CBS Affiliate WBTV that a toddler from Gaston County died at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte while being treated for E. coli. State officials confirmed it was the first death in the state related to an outbreak among those who attended the Cleveland County fair.

A source close to the family confirmed to WBTV that Gage Lefevers died while being treated for suspected E. coli.

Family members of other E. coli victims told WBTV that they are all gathered in support at the hospital tonight.

According to state health officials, investigators are working with local health departments in Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln Counties to investigate the outbreak. There is also one reported case in York County, S.C.

The people sickened all attended the Cleveland County Fair between September 26 and October 7.

Health officials continue to investigate to determine the source of this E. Coli outbreak. The bacteria are found in the waste of animals, and people who touch contaminated material such as food or animals can transfer the bacteria to their mouths or to other people.

Cleveland County Fair director Calvin Hastings said the fair tried to prevent E. coli problems by adding hand-washing stations and moving food vendors farther away from animals.

[imnotimportant]

If you want fewer restrictions on corporations, especially corporations who break the law, vote for Romney.

If you want someone who sticks up for normal people, who wants to protect them from corporations who cut corners and put profits ahead of people, vote for Obama.

[A_Little_Civility_Please]

I'm glad to see folks on here can politicize this while my 5 yr relative is in an ICU bed fighting for her life as a result of this outbreak. I certainly hope that none of you will have to see a very dear relative lying in a hospital bed, deteriorating before your eyes. You people have no soul. Drop the ideaology for just one second and have some empathy for the families involved.

[imnotimportant]

Lets see. You have the choice of being with your dear one OR writing comments on this web site. AND YOU CHOOSE WRITING ON THIS WEB SITE !!!!????

If you want fewer restrictions on corporations, especially corporations who break the law, vote for Romney.

If you want someone who sticks up for normal people, who wants to protect them from corporations who cut corners and put profits ahead of people, vote for Obama.

[vpcharan]

Hold Congressman Ryan responsible for outbreak as he cut funding USDA.

[micmac666]

If you trust any industry to adequately self-regulate, be prepared to be extremely cautious. Good luck.

[wennd2834]

Wow! We love the fair but this is giving me second thoughts. We skipped Onslow County fair this year and went to Carowinds instead. I wonder if it was the same company? I believe we had a different one this year.

[hum_dinger]

While you've been asleep at the wheel massive corporations and government bureaucracy's have been working against you.

Ever wonder where human waste goes after its passed down the sewer?

http://vimeo.com/24854061

Thats right - its used on farm fields. As fertilizer. To grow your food.
You might want to spend a little extra time scrubbing that lettuce, and cook that hamburger to 180 degrees.

Human waste has been long associated with human disease.

Why didnt you know about this sooner? Because the government and the sludge industry didnt want you to know about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHsIjMPP2M8

Don't think it happens in the Carolina's? Think again:
http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/05/29/3105363/sludge-spreading-raises-stink.html
http://www.cityofgastonia.com/city_serv/pwu/utilities/wastewater/process/process.cfm
http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Utilities/Environment/Pages/Biosolids.aspx

Almost all of it is the "Class B" variety - where the "B" means "bad" - its biologically active, virulent, nasty and it stinks to high hell.

Now - imagine this nasty stuff used on a farm field where the farmer then brings those animals to a state fair or petting zoo....

[Valhalla0907]

Humans are animals.

[skeezix06]

I'm reminded yet again that we used to have a FDA that protected us from things like this before the republicans decided to, in effect, nullify the food and drug safety laws and gut the FDA budget till they couldn't do anything any more and shortly afterwards declare our government incompetent.

[Lerianis4]

The FDA even during the 1990's didn't do too well at protecting us from things like this at fairs and amusement parks.

[hypnotoad72]

I'm surprised the usual suspects haven't written "It's Obama's fault" yet...

[MrsHippy]

As soon as they wake from their nap, have a dose of Sarah Palin, and put out their Confederate Flag, they will come and start spouting about Obama.

[Henry_Major]

One wonders if the fair will be back next year, or ever? Not too many parents will be taking their children there...

[Lerianis4]

Don't be too sure about that. This happened at a local fair in my area in 1995 and the next year, attendance had doubled. Because, regardless of the food poisoning, the fair was very good.