U.S.

Fair Fiasco

August 15, 2001 / 11:15 AM EDT / AP

A suspected outbreak of E. coli that may be linked to a county fair has left at least four children hospitalized, including two described as seriously ill, authorities said.

Two children were hospitalized with confirmed cases of the potentially deadly O157:H7 strain of E. coli, and two other children were being tested at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin with suspected infections, hospital spokeswoman Sue Pierman said
Tuesday.

County officials were also aware of six other suspected cases, all in children, said Glenda Madlom, director of the Ozaukee County Public Health Department.

"There appears to be a possible correlation to the Ozaukee County Fair held August 1-5," Madlom said in a statement. She said she was first alerted to the cases Monday and confirmed them Tuesday.

All 10 of the people with suspected E. coli infections had been at the fair, said Ozaukee County public health nurse Kathleen E. Bleau.

The E. coli O157:H7 bacterium often causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue and nausea, and it can lead to fatal complications. It can spread through infected food or water, or when people touch infected animals.