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Three Washington Residents Sick With E. Coli

October 19, 2005

According to health officials, three people that were in attendance at the recent Clark County Fair became sick with E. coli.

One person required hospitalization, but later discharged. All three females are recovering, said a doctor with the Clark County Health Department. Two of the three are teenagers and one is in her 20s.

They were suffering from symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

In examining the causes of the illness, the individuals reported attending the Clark County Fair and stopping by the animal exhibits between August 9 and 14.

No source of the E. coli has been confirmed yet. The Health Department is investigating other possible causes and is looking for the possibility of additional cases.

The strain of E. coli which affected the three girls is most commonly found in cattle intestines and excrement. One way that people can contract this illness is from touching infected animals or visiting animal exhibits at fairs or petting zoos.

Other ways that people have contracted cases of E coli. are eating undercooked ground beef, drinking unpasteurized milk, juice or contaminated water, and swimming in contaminated water.

E. coli can also be spread from person to person. Making sure you wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom, can minimize chances of spreading infection.

It is unclear whether there were available wash stations nearby or whether there was adequate signage instructing persons to wash their hands after touching the animals.