Florida Department Of Health HUS Investigation Update

The Florida Department of Health, who is working with state and local agencies to continue investigations of reported cases of fair-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Central Florida, sends out a daily email update on the number of confirmed cases at 10 a.m. eastern time, except on weekends. As of Tuesday, March 29, 2005:
CONFIRMED CASES:
Definition: Individuals with diarrhea with variable severity (from mild to severe and bloody) that has tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 and/or a diagnosis of HUS, and has recently attended Florida fairs or festivals.
14 cases (Children) and 3 cases (Adults) in the following counties:
Collier: 1 case
Orange: 11 cases
Pasco: 1 case
Seminole: 1 case
Volusia: 3 cases
SUSPECT CASES:
Definition: Individuals with diarrhea with variable severity (from mild to severe and bloody) who have recently attended Florida fairs or festivals.
12 cases (Children) and 8 cases (Adults) in the following counties:
Charlotte: 3 cases
Highlands: 1 case
Hillsborough: 3 cases
Lake: 3 cases
Orange: 1 case
Pasco: 1 case
Pinellas: 2 cases
Polk: 1 case
Sarasota: 1 case
Seminole: 2 cases
Taylor: 2 cases
The Florida DOH advises that if you or your children attended a recent event with animal exhibits, and has diarrhea with variable severity (from mild to severe and bloody), please contact your health care provider. It also recommends that to avoid infection and illness, wash hands often, immediately after contact with domestic or farm animals, and to not eat undercooked meat.