GDPH confirms fifth case of E. coli linked to national fair

As of 10 a.m. Monday, five cases of E. coli had been confirmed among child attendees of the Georgia National Fair, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) and the North Central Health District (NCHD). Officials said affected children are Georgia residents, and three of them had been hospitalized.

Michael Hokanson — a public information officer with the NCHD — said that as of 10 a.m. Monday, just over 1,200 submissions had been filed within his department’s online questionnaire, which aims at pinpointing a source of the gastrointestinal outbreak. He said those numbers are likely to change once more lab results are processed and submissions filed.

Hokanson said everybody who attended the event from Oct. 7-17 of this year should fill out the form, even if they didn’t experience symptoms or become sick. User information will be kept confidential and handled according to HIPAA protocols, he said.

The questionnaire can be found online through the NCHD’s recent Oct. 28 press release or by visiting: sendss.state.ga.us/survey/form/14259

According to the press release, “E. coli” can describe a broad variety of bacteria, with most being harmless and some leading to illness.

Hokanson added that district officials have recorded 13 cases of shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) within the past five years. His department’s research and data gathered from their questionnaire are showing them how these toxin-producing infections can spread, he said.

The press release said STEC infections occur most commonly when a subject ingests some kind of contaminated material, usually caused by small amounts of human or animal excrement. Common hotspots can include petting zoos and animal exhibits.

The NCHD said there are no specific treatments for STEC infections, but you can reduce your risk of become sick by washing your hands after using the restroom, cooking meat thoroughly and staying hydrated.

Hokanson mentioned that if you experience symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting or a mild fever and they persist, don’t just resort to self-medicating; instead, consider consulting a medical professional. Also, be sure to avoid antibiotics since they can amplify these infections and their symptoms, he said.

STEC symptoms usually appear within a week, but incubation can last up to 10 days before the subject experiences anything, according to the press release.

“It could be long incubation periods,” Hokanson said. “That’s what we’re hoping to find in our investigation.”

Hokanson and the NCHD exist to inform the public and protect the health of the 13 presiding counties in their district, including Houston County.

HHJ News