The Orlando Sentinel reports that a Lake County toddler who petted an animal at the Florida Strawberry Festival might have the bacterial infection that has sickened at least 17 people this month, state health officials said Tuesday.
The 14-month-old child was admitted to an area hospital Monday after suffering from severe diarrhea, according to Kevin Lenhart of the Lake County Health Department.
Statewide, 14 children and three adults have been confirmed to have HUS after reporting contact with animals at petting zoos at either the Central Florida Fair in Orlando or the Strawberry Festival in Plant City this month, according to the state’s Department of Health.