Wake County health officials are currently investigating an apparent outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.  According to a report, health officials stated that eight of nine cases being investigated “involve people who attended the North Carolina State Fair.”

The investigation is ongoing, and there does not appear to be a definite time-table for completion.  The report also gave biographical information on the 9 cases:

Seven of the victims are from Wake County. The eighth is from Johnston County, and the ninth from Cleveland Co. The ninth case was not reported to Wake County. Local health officials said the state was investigating that case.  Most are children, but the ages range from 2 months to 62 years old.

Three of the children are currently hospitalized in intensive care. The State Fair is run by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS).

Attorneys at Marler Clark were in Durham, North Carolina in August, trying a case againt NCDACS arising out of a large outbreak  E. coli O157:H7 illnesses llinked to a petting zoo  exhibit at the 2004 State Fair.   While the liability phase of the trial is complete, a ruling is still pending.