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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406933
Research Project: Managing Manure as a Soil Resource for Improved Biosecurity, Nutrient Availability, and Soil Sustainability

Location: Agroecosystem Management Research

Title: An Outbreak of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Associated with a Farming Camp — Tennessee, 2022

Author
item FERRARO, LINDSEY - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United States
item IRVING, DJ - Tennessee Department Of Health
item MARR, JACK - Tennessee Department Of Health
item OREJUELA, KELLY - Tennessee Department Of Health
item MURRY, ERIN - Tennessee Department Of Health
item GOLWALKAR, MUGDHA - Tennessee Department Of Health
item Durso, Lisa
item VIRUEZ, JULIE - Tennessee Department Of Health
item RASNIC, ROBIN - Tennessee Department Of Health
item GARMAN, KATIE - Tennessee Department Of Health
item DUNN, JOHN - Tennessee Department Of Health

Submitted to: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2023
Publication Date: 7/21/2023
Citation: Ferraro, L., Irving, D., Marr, J., Orejuela, K., Murry, E., Golwalkar, M., Durso, L.M., Viruez, J., Rasnic, R., Garman, K., Dunn, J. 2023. An Outbreak of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Associated with a Farming Camp — Tennessee, 2022. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7229a6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7229a6

Interpretive Summary: In 2022, the Tennessee Department of Health investigated a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 outbreak associated with attendance at a day camp where children came into contact with goats. The investigation is explained, including laboratory confirmed isolation of the outbreak strain from goat feces. Animal farms, petting zoos, and other environments where small children might have direct contact with ruminant animals should be aware of the risk for zoonotic STEC transmission and make efforts to mitigate these risks by promoting proper hand hygiene during and after animal contact.

Technical Abstract: On June 22, 2022, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) was notified of a child hospitalized with Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 after attending a farming camp at farm A. Three days later, TDH was notified of a second hospitalized child with hemolytic uremic syndrome, whose brother had attended the same camp, prompting an investigation. On June 28 and 29, TDH conducted an environmental assessment at farm A. Investigators were able to isolate STEC by culture in six samples collected at farm A. TDH concluded that this outbreak was associated with STEC O157:H7-infected kids and involved secondary transmission. Animal farms, petting zoos, and other environments where small children might have direct contact with ruminant animals should be aware of the risk for zoonotic STEC transmission and make efforts to mitigate these risks by promoting proper hand hygiene during and after animal contact.