Investigation continues of e.coli outbreak

RALEIGH -- State health officials continued through the weekend to investigate 24 cases of suspected e. coli infections with links to the N.C. State Fair.

Officials have confirmed that eight of the cases are the 0157:H7 strain of e. coli, which can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and low grade fever. Five people have been hospitalized, three with kidney failure.

The bacteria comes from animal feces. People can become infected by touching animals or consuming food and water that came into contact with the bacteria.

Health officials are continuing their detective work to pinpoint the source of the bacteria, by interviewing the affected people as well as fairgoers who did not get sick, according to Julie Henry, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Eleven cases are Wake County residents, seven are from Sampson County, and two in Wilson County. There are one case each in Orange, Durham, Cleveland and Johnston counties.