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ORLANDO, Fla., Mar 30, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The number of kidney infections that may be linked to petting zoos has risen to 17 and possibly 20 with reports of new cases on Florida's west coast. Fourteen children and three adults have been confirmed with a strain of E. coli after attending either the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla., or the Central Florida Fair in Orlando, the St. Petersburg Times reported Wednesday.
Orange County, where the Central Florida Fair is held, had the most cases. Among the new confirmed and unconfirmed cases were five in the Tampa Bay area and one just to the north of there.
All of the patients tested positive for the specific type of E. coli, or showed symptoms of having hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of the infection that can be deadly.
One 12-year-old girl has died and officials were waiting for the results of tests to determine the exact cause.
Health officials suspect the victims contracted the disease by petting the animals and then putting their hands in their mouths.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
