--- title: 106 E. coli Cases in Outbreak Traced to Cleveland County Fair in NC date: 2012-10-05T09:37:33-07:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/cleveland-county-fair-source-of-n.c.-e.-coli-outbreak" section: Litigation Landing Pages --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) / # 106 E. coli Cases in Outbreak Traced to Cleveland County Fair in NC According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, at least 65 children and 41 adults are known to be part of the E. coli outbreak traced to the Cleveland County Fair, which was held from September 27 - October 7, 2012 and included 5 animal petting areas--the focus of the public health investigation into the source of the E. coli outbreak. **E. coli cases have been reported among residents of 6 North Carolina counties and 2 South Carolina counties**. The E. coli case count as of October 18, 2012 included the following: Cleveland County (61), Gaston County (15), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (2), Union County (2), Rutherford (7), York County, SC (2) and Cherokee County, SC (3). ## E. coli risk associated with fairs and petting zoos While North Carolina state health investigators as well as public health officials from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties work to determine the source of the E. coli outbreak at the Cleveland County Fair, they noted in a press release that E. coli are bacteria found in the feces of animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. If people touch contaminated material, food or animals, they can transfer the bacteria from their hands to their mouths, or to others. **E. coli symptoms and risks** E. coli infections are characterized by painful abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Children, the elderly and immunocompromised people are most likely to develop complications of E. coli infection. [ Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe complication of E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure, central nervous system impairment and death](http://www.about-hus.com " Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a severe complication of E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure, central nervous system impairment and death"). ## Contact the Marler Clark E. coli Attorneys Marler Clark filed an E. coli lawsuit against the fair and Circle G. Ranch, a Tennessee petting zoo company, on behalf of a child who became ill with an E. coli infection after visiting the petting zoo at the Cleveland County Fair. If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection after visiting a fair or petting zoo and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, you can contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation. Marler Clark is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks. The law firm has represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections. You can fill out the contact form or call toll-free at 866-770-2032. There is no cost to you. ### E. coli news and updates November 08, 2022 ###### [16 days hospitalized: Summer E. Coli outbreak linked to Wendy's takes a toll on Michiganders](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/16-days-hospitalized-summer-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-wendys-takes-a-toll-on-michiganders) The Marler Clark, E. coli attorneys represent 48 victims of the Wendy's E. coli outbreak. A total of 109 people from six states, including New … September 27, 2022 ###### [Chipotle E. coli Outbreak (2015)](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/chipotle-e-coli-outbreak-multistate-2015) The initial, larger STEC O26 outbreak was first detected by public health officials in Washington and Oregon through local foodborne disease surveillance. In late October … June 04, 2022 ###### [E. coli Outbreak linked to Pennsylvania Pool](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-pennsylvania-pool) On June 7, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) received multiple complaints of gastrointestinal illness from patrons of a community swimming pool. Two patrons … [1. View all ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) ## All E. coli Resources [###### E. coli Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) [###### E. coli O157:H7 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) [###### Non-O157 STEC ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) [###### Sources of E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) [###### Transmission of and Infection with E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) [###### Symptoms of E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/symptoms-of-e-coli-infection) [###### Complications of E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/complications-of-e-coli-infection) [###### Treatment for E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/treatment-for-e-coli-infection) [###### How is E. coli Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/how-is-e-coli-infection-diagnosed) [###### Preventing E. coli Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/preventing-e-coli-infection) [###### E. coli Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-outbreaks) [###### Real Life Impacts of E. coli Infection and HUS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/real-life-impacts-of-e-coli-infection-and-hus) [###### E. coli Recalls ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-recalls) [###### References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)