Minnesota Officials Say Petting Zoo Spread E. Coli

ST. PAUL, Minn. AP - Minnesota health officials say a traveling petting zoo is the source of an E. coli outbreak that has infected 13 people.

The Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday that seven of the people have been hospitalized with the infection originating at the Zerebko Zoo Tran petting zoo. The exhibit has been suspended as officials investigate.

At least 10 of the cases involved people ages 2-68 who had contact with Zerebko's animals at fairs or a festival in July. Two more cases involved people who had been in contact with attendees of the Rice County Fair.

Two of the hospitalized people developed a severe complication that affects kidney function. One remains hospitalized.

A health department epidemiologist says the public should be aware that even healthy, well-tended animals can make people sick.