Petting zoo-associated Escherichia coli 0157:h7--secondary transmission, asymptomatic infection, and prolonged shedding in the classroom.

Petting zoos have been associated with E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks. Given the epidemiologic link between all cases and the farm, the hypothesis under joint investigation by the BCCDC and local health units was that the infections resulted from contact with the petting zoo animals. The purposes of this investigation were to verify the cause of the outbreak, determine the outbreak’s scope, and identify activities or behaviours that influenced the risk of infection.