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State Health Dept. investigating e-coli cluster in eastern ND

The state Health Department is investigating three e-coli cases in eastern North Dakota.

Health Department epidemiologist Michelle Feist says all three people are under 18 – and all attended the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo. Feist says it appears they had contact with potentially infected animals.

“Even though there may be an animal that is healthy, they can shed e-coli in their stools," said Feist. "So there can be a risk in attending certain events where there are animals present.”

Feist says there are precautions people should take so that they don’t get the e-coli infection.

“Naturally, doing things like washing hands before you eat, and not eating in the areas where the animals are can help prevent ree-coli type infections.”                   

Feist is asking others who became sick for more than 24 hours within 10 days of attending the Red River Valley Fair to call the Health Department. She says the investigation has just begun.

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