E Coli Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark Law Firm : E. coli Blog

The Oregonian today reported on an E. coli outbreak at the Clackamas County Fair in August. According to the story, the Clackamas fair board will put up more signs regarding hand washing for next year's fair.

Health investigators said today the outbreak spread to one additional person but is now contained. E. coli infections can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps and kidney failure. Those who became sick in August have recovered or are recovering.



This year's outbreak is larger than the one from the Clackamas County Fair in 2006, when the bacteria infected four people, sending one to the hospital, said William Keene, an epidemiologist for the Oregon Public Health Division.

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A 2003 study on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in livestock at 29 county and 3 large state agricultural fairs in the United States found that E. coli O157:H7 could be isolated from 13.8 percent of beef cattle, 5.9 percent of dairy cattle, 3.6 percent of pigs, 5.2 percent of sheep, and 2.8 percent of goats. Over seven percent of pest fly pools also tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.

Legislation and the implementation of guidelines and regulations will greatly reduce the likelihood of zoonotic disease outbreaks in North Carolina, but most states have not yet enacted the same measures, and outbreaks will continue to happen.

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CBC news reports that visitors to agricultural fairs face health risks that can be prevented if organizers take simple steps to ensure their safety, says a national non-profit organization. Exposure to E. coli bacteria, according to the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, is the largest health risk facing visitors.

It said it is especially a concern when young children are involved because they might pet farm animals and then use their hands immediately afterwards to eat.  The association is scheduled to hold a workshop on Friday in Charlottetown to educate organizers on how to protect consumers at such events as rural fairs, urban exhibitions and petting zoos.

Moore said organizers will be told that it is essential to set up handwashing stations and post signs that remind people to keep their hands clean. 

The workshop in P.E.I., one of five across Canada, is being held at the Charlottetown Hotel. Similar education sessions will be held in the B.C. communities of Westbank, Abbotsford, Saanichton and Prince George.

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