2000 Medina County, Ohio, Fair E. coli Outbreak
A cluster of E. coli O157:H7 isolates was observed in Medina County, Ohio, in August of 2000. In the case-control investigation, 43 culture confirmed E. coli O157:H7 cases were identified. The environmental investigation suggested that contamination of a section of the water distribution system supplying various vendors was the likely exposure. Water samples collected for this study did not indicate any coliform bacteria. But, a subsequent Halloween event arranged on the same fairgrounds was linked to illness in five children who developed E. coli O157:H7 infection. These children consumed water during the party and isolate patterns from these children matched DNA fingerprint patterns from the earlier event at the Medina County Fair.
