Suspect cases are those individuals who have symptoms of E. coli infection , but whose illness has not been laboratory confirmed. Eleven children developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a severe complication of E. coli infection , and two people have died. Most ill individuals are primary cases, that is, they attended the Washington County Fair and consumed water or products made with water piped from a contaminated well. Only about ten secondary cases have been reported in which infection was spread from person to person because of poor sanitary practices. Symptoms of E. coli infection are diarrhea, occasionally bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
Fever is sometimes present along with the other symptoms.
Health officials caution any individuals with these symptoms to check with their health care provider and to refrain from food handling, child care or patient care while they are sick to prevent transmission of the illness.