E. coli outbreak reaches Orange County

Newly confirmed cases of E. coli in a Glenwood Elementary School student and two preschool-aged children are the first reports that the statewide outbreak of the infection has come to Orange County.

Community Health Services Supervisor Judy Butler said the Glenwood case was confirmed Friday and the other two cases were confirmed Monday.

The county typically sees only one or two cases of E. coli bacteria per year, she said.

All three children had visited the petting zoo at the N.C. State Fair, which has been identified by state health officials as the source of the outbreak, Butler said.

Though the children are recovering well, officials are awaiting test results for 13 other suspected cases of E. coli in the county, she said.

Most of these potential cases are children.

"Young children are most at risk for developing more serious side effects," she said.

Kim Hoke, spokeswoman for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, said the district is responding to the confirmed cases in the schools.

"The school nurses are available, at least on a part-time basis, at every school and are keeping tabs on children who exhibit some of those symptoms," she said.

Nurses are encouraging students who show symptoms of infection to stay out of school and are offering tips on how to prevent the spread of the infection.

While no cases have been confirmed in county schools, spokeswoman Anne D'Annunzio said the school system is taking precautionary measures as well.

"The health department has sent to all our nurses information about the E. coli cases and what protocol we need to follow, and the nurses have been distributing it throughout the schools," D'Annunzio said.

"Teachers are certainly promoting hand washing, particularly now."

Butler said the health department is working to control the spread of E. coli by increasing surveillance of symptoms and providing information about ways to control against infection.

Day care centers and physicians also are being alerted, she said.

Anyone who is identified as a suspect for E. coli is counseled on how to keep the infection from spreading, Butler added.

Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, that may or may not be bloody, abdominal cramping, nausea and dehydration.

Infected persons may also develop a low-grade fever.

Officials recommended that anyone who has these symptoms contact a physician.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.