When the Cleveland County Fair in Shelby, N.C. ended on October 7, it left some patrons with more than good spirits and funnel cake. Thirty-eight fairgoers had been infected with a harmful strain of the E. coli bacterium, which has already killed a two-year-old victim.

This outbreak is reminiscent of similar ones at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh this time last year, the multi-state infection that occurred this past June, as well as the spinach epidemic in September of 2006.  These E. coli outbreaks are raising questions about food regulation and safety. With outbreaks occurring years and months after each other, how can we-or is it even possible to-prevent repeated infections?

While the sources of this year's outbreak are still under investigation, last year's cause seems to be the livestock kept at the state fair. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says a contracted E. coli infection "occurs when people consume contaminated foods or liquids." The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) explains how transmission can also happen when thorough hand washing is neglected, especially after coming in direct contact with an infected person or animal. It appears that this reasoning is the basis of epidemiologists' conclusions from last year's outbreak as well. Perhaps similar occurrences spurred this year's infection, however, it is impossible to conclude while investigations are still underway. 

Among the E. coli buzz in North Carolina, another infectious disease festers in recent headlines: meningitis. The state is one of fifteen, as recent data from the NC Department of Health and Human Services shows, where confirmed cases of this disease have been documented. Two in-state infections are a result of a contaminated steroid shot for back pain. 257 non-fatal cases originating from the shot that came from Framingham, Massachusetts in states from Idaho to Florida.

This particular epidemic is from a kind of fungal meningitis. The disease can also be transmitted through bacteria, a virus, or other means, and causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord when the cerebrospinal fluid is infected. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists tell tale symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and a stiff neck as possible signs of an infection. If left untreated, the bacterial strain can be fatal. This more severe meningococcal infection is spread through droplets in the air, or by kissing, sharing drinks, silverware, and even cigarettes. This is why schools-particularly large colleges and universities-are prime locations for outbreaks.

While the effects of the disease can prove harmful, vaccinations are available to prevent contraction. At UNCW, the Abrons Student Health Center (SHC) provides a Bacterial Meningitis vaccine for an additional fee of $95 on a walk-in basis. First-year students are required to receive the meningococcal vaccine upon entering UNCW and most other colleges, where residence halls and dormitories are optimal locations for the bacteria to spread. The SHC resource is important for students who had been given the vaccine earlier and need it renewed. Infection should be virtually impossible for students who have the vaccine and practice general, healthy behaviors.

The spread of infections can be contained, but it is largely due to the behaviors and responsibilities of those who come in contact with the infected persons or organisms. Recurring infections and outbreaks are appearing by means of human error or carelessness, but also the natural unpredictability of the diseases. By examining the past epidemics and maximizing one's personal preventive manners, each infection's impact can be subsequently lessened. 

After the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell in 2011, one UNCW senior who had traded her desert uniform for a black shirt and jeans finally switched her double life for an open one. Laura Siljander is gay and from the moment she joined the Air Force in 2009 until 2011, her sexual preference was kept secret. 

In 2010 there were about 71,000 lesbian, gay and transgender persons serving in the US military, according to a study published in May of 2010 by the Williams Institute of UCLA. Like Laura they kept it a secret to save their jobs because of a policy that prevented them from disclosing their sexual orientation, called Don't Ask Don't Tell. When President Obama passed the bill that would repeal the military's almost 10-year policy in 2011, Siljander was in the Air Force Reserve- and a UNCW student. 

"Because I'm gay I didn't have to live that double lifestyle anymore," said Siljander.  "It definitely boosted my morale."

Siljander sits with one shoeless foot tucked underneath her outside the Fisher Union on Wednesday afternoon. The crowd flowing into the building for food pauses as they catch a glimpse of Bacon, Siljander's miniature pig, squirming and snorting in her hands.  Many students stop and ask her for a picture. Siljander obliges, getting Bacon to look in the direction of the camera.

"But I was dating someone who was still active duty so it was nice to actually be able to hold hands in public, to actually be able to do normal things," said Siljander.

During her time in active duty Siljander was accused of violating the DADT policy twice.

"They cannot report you for being homosexual but they can report you for performing homosexual acts," said Siljander. 

A fellow service member wrongly accused Siljander of kissing another female outside the barracks one night and reported to her superiors.  Once a report or accusation is made the military is forced by policy to put the accused under investigation.

 "It's not like a court marshall where it's all formal but there are attorney's involved, statements, witnesses and alibis," said Siljander. 

Siljander maintained her innocence throughout the investigation period and the accuser was eventually honorably discharged from the military for lying, but not before Siljander had to endure months of investigation. 

From 1994 to 2009 there were a little over 14,000 service members discharged from the military due to violations of DADT according to the DADT Digital Archive Project.  Those discharged before the 2011 repeal are able to re-apply to the military and will be evaluated on the same standards they were first accepted on. 

Siljander was stationed in Mississippi at the time of her first investigation and was there for the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  She was not allowed to work when under investigation so she finished her job training in tech school and volunteered to rebuild houses after the hurricane. 

"It was a great cause but I still couldn't go anywhere, I couldn't move on," said Siljander.

Within a year of finishing boot camp Siljander and her squadron were deployed to Iraq.  Siljander did convoys, taking supplies to different locations.  When a base was mortared Siljander would perform searches and patrols in the aftermath.

In her squadron, only those closest to Siljander knew of her homosexuality and acted towards her like they would act towards a heterosexual service member. 

Siljander thinks her friendliness and open personality kept those that did not accept or agree with her sexuality at bay.  She even believes that she changed some people's minds on how they felt about serving with a homosexual service member.

"When they'd get to know me first and then found out, I wouldn't face any backfire from it," said Siljander. 

While deployed in Iraq Siljander thought she was treated a little differently by the men she served with not because of her homosexuality but because she was a female.

While stationed in the Middle East a male officer cut in front of her while Siljander was waiting in line for food. 

"When I asked him to move he told me that women don't belong in the military," said Siljander.  "It was little things like that but nothing too major."

Since 2010 Siljander has been serving in the Air Force Reserve and pursuing her degree in Exercise Science as an undergrad. She expects to be sent to Afghanistan within the next year but hopes to finish her senior year before that.

She wishes she could stay stateside to pursue her master's degree- but she'll be lucky if she finishes her undergrad before deploying. 

"Please let me graduate first," said Siljander, lifting Bacon and her face toward the sky, pleading.