--- title: Setting Blame For E. coil Outbreak date: 2004-12-06T09:03:46-08:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/setting-blame-for-e-coil-outbreak" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Setting Blame For E. coil Outbreak Regarding the recent [outbreak of E. coli](http://www.fair-safety.com/fair-outbreaks/view/state-fair-raleigh-north-carolina/) across the state, the blame now apparently rests squarely on the shoulders of departing Commissioner Britt Cobb and the Department of Agriculture under his watch. Mr. Cobb and the state agency he oversaw are charged with “… controlling and eliminating animal diseases and ensuring general animal health.” This according to the department’s own web site. The [E. coli outbreak at the N.C. State Fair](http://www.fair-safety.com/fair-outbreaks/view/state-fair-raleigh-north-carolina/) last month which infected over 100 fair goers, half of them children, illustrates the unreserved lack of attention and prioritization by the former commissioner’s Veterinary Division and exposes serious flaws in judgment and oversight at the very event which is expected to showcase the Agriculture Department’s best side. But alas, Mr. Cobb’s apparent lack of experience failed those who have entrusted him with ensuring their health and safety. Sobering questions come to mind. Why were there not enough hand washing stations? Why were patrons, including parents of children, charged a fee for hand sanitizer? Why was all petting zoo livestock not tested for E. coli if possible? Mr. Cobb is currently contesting the results of the commissioner of agriculture election, even though he clearly lost. He is maneuvering for another special statewide election to undo the will of the majority who elected his opponent Steve Troxler. Why would voters place their trust and confidence in an appointee such as Mr. Cobb who is clearly more preoccupied with his political career than the welfare of the children who patron the petting zoos at the N.C. State Fair under his administration? ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants) [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli 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The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. 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