In August 2024, a multicounty outbreak of Salmonella Agbeni occurred in Illinois, affecting 13 individuals (seven confirmed, six probable) who attended the Brown County fair. Patients, aged 23-53, presented with gastrointestinal illness after drinking canned beer from a shared cooler in the fair's beer tent. The cooler, a non-food-grade drainage tile, was improperly cleaned and handled, with staff using bare hands and standing water present. Diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory isolation of Salmonella enterica serotype Agbeni. AI-assisted hypothesis generation supported ice contamination as the likely source, despite no common food exposure. This highlights the critical need for strict hygiene protocols for ice and beverage handling at public events.
Key note: Improperly handled ice in coolers can be an unexpected vehicle for Salmonella transmission, even without direct food contamination.