E Coli Poisoning Outbreak in North Carolina Leaves a Boy Dead

Could you be at risk for death the next time you attend the county fair? Unfortunately, days after one family attended the county fair in Cleveland, North Carolina, their son passed away from an E. Coli outbreak.

Officials at the Cleveland County Fair are reminding families to seek urgent care if they're experiencing diarrhea for longer than 3 days.  The recent E. Coli outbreak has so far claimed one child's life, another is suffering kidney failure, and 20 more have fallen ill.

E. Coli is a bacteria that is passed from infected animal waste to humans quite easily. While most strains are harmless, others can cause severe food poisoning.

Symptoms of E. Coli poisoning can include:

• severe stomach cramps and stomach tenderness
• diarrhea ranging from watery to bloody
• nausea and vomiting

If you have experienced these symptoms, you should seek medical help. And if you've lost someone as a result of E. Coli poisoning, you may want to explore your legal options.