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

John 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. During the summer, farm A held three week-long summer camps teaching animal husbandry to children aged 6-10 years by assigning campers a baby goat (kid) to care for. STEC resides in the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants such as cattle, goats, sheep, and deer without causing illness in the animal* (1). Outbreaks among humans associated with petting zoos are well documented (2-5).

Automated summary

On June 22, 2022, the Tennessee Department of Health was informed that a child who attended a farming camp at farm A was hospitalized with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. Three days later, another child who attended the same camp was hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome. This prompted an investigation.