Image by Alexa from Pixabay
Arizona Department of Health Services has indicated a significant increase in E. coli infections and hospitalizations involving a related kidney complication following the Arizona State Fair.
Children began falling sick shortly after their visit to the annual venue. Sources point to a contaminated farm animal at the petting zoo exhibit.
Here’s what we know so far about the E. coli outbreak linked to the Arizona State Fair!
The Maricopa County Department of Health and Arizona Department of Health Services have noticed a statewide increase in the number of E. coli cases during the month of October.
According to reports, the number of cases has doubled. Hospitals have indicated an increase in the number of related hemolytic uremic syndrome cases related to E. coli infections as well.
Health care providers in the state were notified of these trends on November 13, alerting them to the signs and symptoms of this deadly infection and what to look out for.
The Arizona State Fair ran from September 19, 2025 to October 26, 2025 and, among other events, included a petting zoo.
According a source, a pig from the Great American Petting Zoo is the suspected link. Many of the sick children reportedly touched a certain pig prior to becoming sick. There are claims that no hand washing stations were made available near the petting zoo, creating a lapse in venue design that leaves participant vulnerable to any number of animal-transmitted infections.
It is unclear whether or not hand washing stations are required at petting zoos in Arizona, but they are certainly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of a 2016 CDC report, Arizona was not listed as one of the seven states with laws for animal exhibits that require hand sanitation stations.
According to the CDC, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin have laws that require animal contact exhibits to provide these stations. But the specifics vary from state to state.
For example, North Carolina’s law is fairly inclusive. It requires hand sanitation stations at all animal contact exhibits. This includes all petting zoos, pony rides, and poultry handling exhibits. Wisconsin law, on the other hand, only specifies petting zoos located at campgrounds.
There are also variations is specific location recommendations among those with specifics on the matter.
However, all seven states indicate that animal contact exhibits provide signs that recommend sanitizing hands or include the health risk for contact with animals.
The CDC has issued a resource for animal exhibitors in an effort to help animal exhibit designers and managers create a safe environment for both guests and staff at these events.
Some of the major points include providing handwashing statements at the exits of animal exhibits. Some should be low enough for children to reach. Signs should be provided to inform guests of when and how to wash their hands, where they can eat, and areas for the animals.
Exhibit designers should keep animal areas and dining areas separate.
Staff should be educated and trained on the risks of working around animals and prevention strategies, provided appropriate resources, and encourage staff to talk to visitors about safety around animals. Including handwashing.
E. coli and other germs that cause serious illness in humans can be found in the feces of common petting zoo animals. In most cases, even those infected with bacteria that can make humans sick show no signs of illness themselves.
It doesn’t take much of those bacteria to make people sick. Even trace amounts too small for the eyes to see can spread E. coli infections. All it takes is a simple touch on the animal, a railing, a fence post, or any mundane thing that could have feces contaminated particles splashed or smeared on it.
When the unsuspecting person eats, drinks, or touches their mouth before properly washing their hands, they are exposed to E. coli and at risk of becoming sick with this deadly infection.
E. coli is a type of bacteria often found in the digestive system of humans and animals.
However, not all E. coli bacteria are harmless. Some can make you very sick! One group of these harmful strains produce a type of toxin that can cause serious illness, complications that lead to hospitalization, long-term health problems, or even death. These are known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC.
The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Normally healthy people generally recover from E. coli infection within five to seven days. Some people, on the other hand, may experience other complications. These complications may lead to hospitalization or even death.
The elderly, young children (under five years), and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe illnesses or develop serious complications.
One of the more common complications involved in E. coli infections is called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with a toxin-producing bacteria like E. coli.
This complication develops when toxins rupture blood cells. These ruptured bloods cells clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. This can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.
A 2023 study found that Shiga toxins are responsible for around 90% to 95% of all HUS cases.
People with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring to prevent further damage.
Symptoms to look out for include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.
If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!
Certain symptoms are an indication of more severe illness. In these cases, you should contact your healthcare provider to help prevent life-threatening complications or treat them as they arise.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
After diarrheal symptoms begin to improve, some people may develop a type of complication that affects the kidneys. Children are more susceptible to this type of complication – hemolytic uremic syndrome.
If you or a loved one attended the Arizona State Fair and begin experiencing symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection, you may be wondering what you can do to help.
Even if your symptoms are mild, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department. This can help investigators get a better picture of the scope of this E. coli outbreak linked to the Arizona State Fair.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms and what areas you visited while at the fair. They could also ask you what and where you have eaten in the past few weeks and other supporting details. So have that information handy.
If you have been seriously impacted by this outbreak, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced E. coli lawyer.
If you have become seriously ill with an E. coli infection and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has an E. coli lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully won millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases and they can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no-obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
Texas babies have been falling sick with infant botulism. As more suspected cases are confirmed,…
Additional cases of E. coli linked to cheese expands the Twin Sister Creamery Outbreak. When…
There is an outbreak of Listeria in Hawaii. Two people have fallen sick. One person…
If you have eaten at Tam O’Shanter recently, you may have been exposed to a…
There have been at least 11 cases of Camplylobacter illness associated with raw milk in…
ByHeart infant formula is a common food consumed by 13 babies recently diagnosed with deadly…