Colorado State University Extension
SafeFood Rapid Response Network
SAFEFOOD NEWS - Summer 2000 - Vol 4 / No. 4
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Final Report on New York's '99 E. Coli 0157:H7 Outbreak
Last fall we reported on a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 associated with two county fairs in New York. With county fair season upon us, we thought you'd be interested in the final report on the cause of the outbreak.
In the final report on the outbreak issued this March, it was determined through a case controlled study that consumption of beverages sold by vendors supplied with water from Well 6 was a key risk factor for patients with culture-confirmed illness. A telephone survey estimated that between 2,800 and 5,000 Washington County Fair attendees may have developed gastric intestinal illness. A total of 781 people were identified with confirmed or suspected illness related to this outbreak. Of the 781 people, 127 cases of E. coli and 45 cases of Campylobacter were confirmed by culture. Seventy-one people were hospitalized during the outbreak and 14 of these developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, 2 lives were lost.
The investigation was not able to definitively disclose the source(s) of the bacteria or the mechanism(s) by which the bacteria infected Fair attendees. The initial suspect was that water from Well 6 was contaminated by runoff from cattle manure. The final report was not able to prove or disprove this hypothesis. Some studies did indicate that the contamination may have originated from a septic system serving a 4-H dormitory on the fairgrounds close to Well 6.
Action taken . . . In September 1999, the New York State Health Commissioner issued an emergency order that prohibited the use of untreated water at agricultural fairgrounds in the state; this was extended until October 2000. Currently, legislation giving the State Health Department explicit authority to regulate agricultural fairgrounds is being presented.
Source: Press release, March 2000. State of New York Department of Health.
