1. Agritourism and Kidding Season: A Large Outbreak of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) Infections Linked to a Goat Dairy Farm—Connecticut, 2016
- Author
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Paul Gacek, Anthony Muyombwe, Matthew L. Cartter, Jafar Razeq, Mary Jane Lis, Lauren M. Gollarza, Morgan N Schroeder, Nancy Strockbine, Tu Ngoc Nguyen, Eshaw Vidyaprakash, Bruce Sherman, Mark E. Laughlin, Kelly Gambino-Shirley, Eugene Pizzo, Quyen Phan, Alexandra Mercante, Patrick McCormack, Haley Martin, Anna J. Blackstock, Samantha M. Olson, Alycia McNutt, Jocelyn Mullins, Laura Whitlock, Kimberly Holmes-Talbot, Megin Nichols, Wayne Kasacek, Diane Noel, and Laurn Mank
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Veterinary medicine ,E. coli–Escherichia coli ,animal diseases ,diarrhea ,Biology ,Serology ,fluids and secretions ,Hand sanitizer ,children ,SF600-1100 ,medicine ,Feces ,Original Research ,outbreak ,General Veterinary ,Public health ,goat ,Shiga toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia coli (STEC) ,agritourism ,Outbreak ,Diarrhea ,hemolytic uremic syndrome ,Hay ,Veterinary Science ,medicine.symptom ,Barn (unit) - Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine sources of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) infection among visitors to Farm X and develop public health recommendations. A case-control study was conducted. Case-patients were defined as the first ill child (aged ; of these, 62% (18 of 29) yielded STEC O157 highly related by WGS to patient isolates. STEC O157 environmental contamination and fecal shedding by goats at Farm X was extensive. Farms should provide handwashing stations with soap, running water, and disposable towels. Access to animal areas, including animal pens and enclosures, should be limited for young children who are at risk for severe outcomes from STEC O157 infection. National recommendations should be adopted to reduce disease transmission.
- Published
- 2021