A fifth child sick with E. coli possibly linked to the San Diego County Fair was reported Tuesday, the county's Health and Human Services Agency announced.
The 6-year-old boy, who attended the animal displays at the fair on June 22, exhibited symptoms June 26 and was confirmed as a case of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli, the agency said. He was not hospitalized and is recovering.
The agency also confirmed Tuesday a previously suspected case involving a 9-year-old boy who visited the fair on June 13. He became ill on June 16. He was not hospitalized and has since recovered, the county said.
Last week, a boy died and three other children were sickened from Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli. Fair officials have closed public access to all animal areas, including the petting zoo, at the livestock barn on the eastern side of the Del Mar Fairgrounds as a precautionary measure while the source of the E. coli is investigated.
RELATED: 2-Year-Old Boy Dies, Three Others Sick From E. Coli At San Diego County Fair
According to county officials:
–A 13-year-old girl visited the fair on June 8 and became ill on June 10. The girl is recovering and was not hospitalized.
–An 11-year-old girl visited the fair on June 8 and 12 when she fell ill. The girl is recovering and was not hospitalized.
–A 9-year-old boy visited the fair on June 13 and became sick on June 18.
–A 2-year-old boy visited the fair on June 15. He became ill June 19. The boy had hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and was hospitalized. He died on June 24.
County health officials say they expect to see more cases of E. coli from the fair in the coming days as the incubation period for the bacteria is up to 10 days from exposure.
Officials recommend fair attendees to use hand-washing stations around the fairgrounds, especially before eating.
People who do not wash their hands after petting an animal or have food or drinks in an area with animals
increase their chance of contracting the illness, according to CDC officials.
Symptoms of E.Coli include severe abdominal cramping, watery or bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms may also occur with or without a fever. County health officials said anyone who experienced the symptoms on or after
June 8 should contact their healthcare provider.
