Gaston County, NC -- The State Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a child has died from an E. coli infection she contracted during an outbreak at the Cleveland County Fair.
The child's name has not been released.
The department's public health division is investigating 15 cases related to this outbreak in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.
There are several symptoms associated with the E. coli infection, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and sometimes low-grade fever. Officials say, however, these symptoms can surface as many as 10 days after exposure to the infection.
Investigators still don't know the source of the County Fair outbreak, but say the Cleveland County Fair is definitely the common link.
E. coli are bacteria found in the feces of animals, such as cattle, sheep and goats, according to DHHS.
For more information on E. coli and updates on this investigation, visit the NCPH website.
DHHS