E. Coli Source Still Sought

Fresno County health officials say they are continuing to investigate the source of an outbreak of E. coli, almost two months after the bacteria sickened several toddlers and teenagers. And they are cautioning the public to use basic hygiene to avoid contracting the illness.

“We are still investigating the exact cause,” said Tim Casagrande, director of environmental health for the Fresno County Department of Community Health, adding that his agency had “several potential sources we are looking at.”

Health officials confirmed that one possible source was the Big Fresno Fair, where nearly all of the six children who contracted E. coli are known to have had contact with animals, possibly at the petting zoo or livestock pavilion. The fair ran from Oct. 5 to Oct. 16.

Casagrande said that, although there was no immediate cause for panic, “we are always concerned when we find a number of cases that might be linked.”

He would not name the other potential sources of the bacteria being investigated but said the department was interviewing patients and their parents and conducting sample analyses and epidemiological research.

David Luchini, director of communicable diseases for the Department of Community Health, identified the strain of E. coli in this incident as 0157:H7, the most threatening to humans.

It takes between two and 10 days for the illness to manifest, with patients typically experiencing an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.

Kate Farrell, a supervising public health nurse for Fresno County, said it was unlikely that an otherwise healthy individual could die from an E. coli sickness, but said that, with “any organism that causes diarrhea, especially in very young children, there’s always a danger that the child could become dehydrated, and that could be serious.”

The 2-year-old daughter of John Malos, a former Fresno television anchorman, has been hospitalized since attending the Big Fresno Fair in mid-October, according to Malos’ attorney Warren Paboojian.

The lawyer said doctors diagnosed exposure to E. coli, and county health officials were investigating links to the girl’s visit to the petting zoo.

“She is in critical condition,” said Paboojian, noting that the youngster’s kidneys were functioning with the help of a dialysis machine.

County health officials said that, to their knowledge, all the other stricken children had recovered.

The medical specialists also stressed the importance of basic hygiene as the top priority for prevention of the illness.

“Parents should have their kids wash their hands,” said Luchini. “I don’t care if they’ve been touching animals, their noses or the dirt, they must wash their hands.”

John Alkire, chief executive for the Big Fresno Fair, said the 165-acre fairgrounds had 42 restrooms. During the October festivities that attracted about 550,000 visitors, 38 additional hand-washing stations and sanitizers were placed throughout the venue.

“We are most concerned about the health and welfare of our customers,” Alkire said, and expressed sympathy for the sickened children. “We have taken proactive steps in the past, and we will continue to take those steps to ensure the safety of our customers.”

Between 12 and 14 cases of E. coli are reported annually in Fresno County, Casagrande said.

He explained that farm animals presented a greater risk of infection to humans, but that “just petting an animal does not mean you are going to get E. coli on your hands.” The animal has to be shedding the organism, and there has to be enough of it on the hands for it to be dangerous if ingested, Casagrande said.

Paboojian said the Malos family was monitoring their daughter’s progress before meeting with the attorney to explore their options.