The Kentucky Department for Public Health is warning people about a sudden increase in E. coli O103 cases.  Kentucky is now reporting 20 ill but not the possible source, however, apparently there are three additional cases in Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee.

The cases in Kentucky were reported between March 5 and 25.

Health officials noted the cases were found in children and teenagers with an “extensive exposure to fast food”.

According to the Mercer County Health Department:

Outbreaks of E. coli O103 are rare.  From the CDC NORS dataset:

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/norsdashboard/

Year State Transmission Serotype Setting Illnesses
2000 Washington Food O103 Caterer (food prepared off-site from where served); Other 18
2010 Minnesota Food O103:H2; O145:NM School/college/university 29
2011 Wisconsin Animal Contact O103; O157:H7 6
2013 Minnesota Person-to-person O103 Child day care 3
2013 Pennsylvania Indeterminate O103:H2 Private home/residence 2
2014 Ohio Indeterminate O103 Child day care 3
2014 Multistate Food O103:H2 Restaurant – other or unknown type 12
2014 Ohio Indeterminate O103; O157:H7; O146:H21 Private home/residence 4
2015 Multistate Food O103 Restaurant – other or unknown type 4
2015 Ohio Person-to-person O103 School/college/university 6
2015 Multistate Food O103 Restaurant – other or unknown type 6
2015 Kansas Person-to-person O103 Child day care 12
2015 North Carolina Person-to-person O103 Child day care 20
2015 Virginia Person-to-person O103:H2 Prison/jail 4
2015 Ohio Indeterminate O103; Child day care 5
2016 Ohio Indeterminate O103 Other, specify 7
2017 Ohio Person-to-person O103 Child day care 4
2017 Oregon Food O103 Other 13