Girl Stricken by E. Coli Is Improving

Katie Maness, 13, had been diagnosed with an E. coli infection and was a patient at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
Nothing could have prepared her mother, Becky Maness, for the shocking news the doctor would deliver: Her daughter’s kidneys were failing.
Katie had developed a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that occurs in high-risk people such as children and can cause kidney failure, seizures and in some cases death.
Katie is one of 41 people in North Carolina with confirmed cases of E. coli disease. An investigation by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that the State Fair, Oct. 15-24, was the source of the outbreak. At least 107 suspected case are under investigation, according to the state.
Katie was discharged last Thursday but had to go back Friday for some lab work. It was determined that her hemoglobin was too low and that she would need a blood transfusion. Doctors re-admitted her to UNC Hospitals overnight. She was finally released Saturday.
Katie, who is an eighth-grader at The O’Neal School, returned to school Wednesday and is going to classes for half days for now.