By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to cake mix.

As of July 27, 2021, 16 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 have been reported from 12 states–Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Seven people required hospitalization for their illness. One person has developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths have been reported.

Seventy-five percent of sick people are children under the age of 18.

Sick people in this outbreak reported tasting or eating raw cake batter made from a variety of cake mixes. A single brand or type of cake mix has not been linked to the illnesses.

CDC advises people not to eat raw cake batter, whether made from a mix or homemade. Eating raw cake batter can make you sick. Raw cake batter can contain harmful bacteria. Bacteria are killed only when raw batter is baked or cooked.