Source of Mystery Multistate E. coli Outbreak: Ground Beef
A multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O103 now has a known source: ground beef. As of April 12th, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 109 infections in six states—Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. Seventeen people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The ground beef source was identified by investigators after a preliminary epidemiologic traceback effort. Some of the patients reported eating ground beef at home and in restaurants. The investigation continues so that health officials can pinpoint the source of the ground beef supplied to grocery stores and restaurant locations where the ill people ate.