ALBANY, NY, Sep 09 (Reuters) -- The number of cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection linked to New York's outbreak rose to 291 on Wednesday as the New York State Health Department braced for additional cases from schools and day care centers.
At least eight children were reported in serious condition as a result of the state's largest E. coli outbreak that claimed the life of a 3-year-old on Saturday.
The seriously ill children have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of serious E. coli infection. Five of them are receiving kidney dialysis treatment, the state health department said.
All of those affected are believed to have contracted E. coli while attending the Washington County Fair in Greenwich on August 28-29.
As a precautionary measure, organizers have canceled a major regional craft fair that had been set to take place at the same fairgrounds this weekend.
Health officials prepared for more cases as children returned to schools and day care centers following Labor Day.
"The number of suspected cases are increasing after the long holiday weekend, once people who attended the fair had an opportunity to see their doctor and have their symptoms evaluated," said State Health Commissioner Antonia Novello. "We would not be surprised to see additional case reports from schools and day care centers, as well, in the days ahead," Novello said.
State officials said that at least 45 people have been hospitalized with the bacterial illness, which accounts for 20,000 illnesses and 400 deaths each year.
"Overall, we have had 33 patients and the number keeps growing," said Rich Puff, a spokesman for Albany Medical Center Hospital, the area's largest hospital and where most of the patients have been treated.
State health officials began receiving reports of an E. coli outbreak after the closing weekend of the fair. E. coli-infected water may have been used to prepare food, drinks, and ice at the fair. The bacteria are believed to have come from manure from the dairy barns on the site.
