An animal petting barn at Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition has been linked to 13 cases of E. coli bacteria infection, but officials say there is little more they could have done to prevent the suspected outbreak.

'You have the combination of small children and animals and fecal matter.' —Gavin Wilson, Vancouver Coastal Health public affairs officer

Officials at Vancouver Coastal Health say 11 children and two adults from various parts of B.C. have all tested positive for the bacteria in recent weeks.

Three children were admitted to Children's Hospital. One remains in hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.

The only link between all the cases was a visit to the petting barn at the Pacific National Exhibition before the fair's closure on Labour Day, said Gavin Wilson, a public affairs officer with the Vancouver Coastal Health authority.

The barn has yet to be confirmed as the source of the outbreak and health officials expect to complete their investigation in the next two weeks, but Wilson notes petting zoos are a known source of E. coli.

"Petting zoos and petting barns are a known risk factor for transmitting E. coli. You have the combination of small children and animals and fecal matter," said Wilson.

Handwashing facilities in place

Health officials and the PNE say the petting barn had all the proper precautions in place, but people can still pick up an infection.

"Although we do believe that with proper precautions, you can minimize the risk of passing on a bacteria like E. coli, sometimes that does occur," said Wilson.

PNE spokeswoman Laura Ballance said handwashing facilities were set up at the exit from the petting barn.

"When you leave the petting farm, you are bull-penned in. The way it is actually laid out is to intentionally direct you directly to the wash stations. There are three wash stations there with both hot and cold water, hand towels, as well as hand sanitizer," she said.

If the barn is confirmed as the source of the outbreak, the annual fair will make changes if asked by health authorities, said Ballance.

Escherichia coli bacteria, commonly known as E. coli, commonly inhabit the digestive tracts of warm-blooded organisms. While many strains are harmless to humans, some virulent strains can be deadly or cause stomach problems, urinary tract infections, neonatal meningitis and other more serious health problems.