20-month-old dies of E. coli after visiting fair

Shortly after going to the fair, Guay was admitted to Maine Medical Center for severe diarrhea. A week later, he died of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure.

Guay’s father, Jon, believes Colton contracted the bacteria when he came in contact with farm animals at the fair.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that another child was also hospitalized with symptoms associated with E. coli. That child is said to have visited the same petting zoo, but the state's health commission has not officially confirmed the connection.

Maine's assistant state veterinarian, Beth McEvoy, told WMTW that the process of sampling the livestock for bacteria is being discussed, and a representative from the Oxford County Fair said it is working with the state veterinarian, Dr. Michele Walsh, according to WMTW.

"It's a challenge to get a smoking gun," Walsh said in regards to testing animals.

Walsh says many healthy animals carry strands of E.coli, and humans do too.

Walsh said Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry puts many resources into educating and staying in contact with fairs reminding them that, "livestock are for viewing not for petting."

She also says the office ensures the fairs have plenty of visible signage to remind people to wash their hands if they come in direct contact with animals. Walsh said the office verifies that all animals at fairs are healthy.