AUTHOR=Nichols Megin C. , Gacek Paul , Phan Quyen , Gambino-Shirley Kelly J. , Gollarza Lauren M. , Schroeder Morgan N. , Mercante Alexandra , Mullins Jocelyn , Blackstock Anna , Laughlin Mark E. , Olson Samantha M. , Pizzo Eugene , Nguyen Tu Ngoc , Mank Laurn , Holmes-Talbot Kimberly , McNutt Alycia , Noel Diane , Muyombwe Anthony , Razeq Jafar H. , Lis Mary Jane , Sherman Bruce , Kasacek Wayne , Whitlock Laura , Strockbine Nancy , Martin Haley , Vidyaprakash Eshaw , McCormack Patrick , Cartter Matthew TITLE=Agritourism and Kidding Season: A Large Outbreak of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) Infections Linked to a Goat Dairy Farm—Connecticut, 2016 JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science VOLUME=8 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.744055 DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.744055 ISSN=2297-1769 ABSTRACT=

The objective of this study was to determine sources of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) infection among visitors to Farm X and develop public health recommendations. A case-control study was conducted. Case-patients were defined as the first ill child (aged <18 years) in the household with laboratory-confirmed STEC O157, or physician-diagnosed hemolytic uremic syndrome with laboratory confirmation by serology, who visited Farm X in the 10 days prior to illness. Controls were selected from Farm X visitors aged <18 years, without symptoms during the same time period as case-patients. Environment and animal fecal samples collected from Farm X were cultured; isolates from Farm X were compared with patient isolates using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Case-patients were more likely than controls to have sat on hay bales at the doe barn (adjusted odds ratio: 4.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.41–16.13). No handwashing stations were available; limited hand sanitizer was provided. Overall, 37% (29 of 78) of animal and environmental samples collected were positive for STEC; of these, 62% (18 of 29) yielded STEC O157 highly related by WGS to patient isolates. STEC O157 environmental contamination and fecal shedding by goats at Farm X was extensive. Farms should provide handwashing stations with soap, running water, and disposable towels. Access to animal areas, including animal pens and enclosures, should be limited for young children who are at risk for severe outcomes from STEC O157 infection. National recommendations should be adopted to reduce disease transmission.