Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 gastroenteritis in farm visitors, North Wales

Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 May;9(5):526-30. doi: 10.3201/eid0905.020237.

Abstract

An outbreak of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) gastroenteritis in visitors to an open farm in North Wales resulted in 17 primary and 7 secondary cases of illness. E. coli O157 Vero cytotoxin type 2, phage type 2 was isolated from 23 human cases and environmental animal fecal samples. A case-control study of 16 primary case-patients and 36 controls (all children) showed a significant association with attendance on the 2nd day of a festival, eating ice cream or cotton candy (candy floss), and contact with cows or goats. On multivariable analysis, only the association between illness and ice cream (odds ratio [OR]=11.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 to 137.76) and cotton candy (OR=51.90, 95% CI 2.77 to 970.67) remained significant. In addition to supervised handwashing, we recommend that foods on open farms only be eaten in dedicated clean areas and that sticky foods be discouraged.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agriculture
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / complications
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology*
  • Escherichia coli O157 / isolation & purification*
  • Escherichia coli O157 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Food Microbiology
  • Gastroenteritis / complications
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / microbiology*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Shiga Toxins / biosynthesis*
  • Wales / epidemiology

Substances

  • Shiga Toxins