NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the investigation into a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157 infections.

Escherichia coli
Image/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

29 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157 have been reported from 2 states: Michigan (15) and Ohio (14). Nine hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported.

A food has not yet been identified as the source and this investigation is ongoing.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported by CDC. Michigan and Ohio have both reported large increases in the number of E. coli infections in their states. Public health officials are working to determine how many of these infections are linked to the outbreak.

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Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C).

Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.

Most people with a STEC infection start feeling sick 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria. However, illnesses can start anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms of E. coli, such as diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days or diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F, bloody diarrhea, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and are not peeing much.