*UPDATE* May 13th, 2019
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last update, 19 ill people were added to this outbreak, and the total count now rises up to 196 people confirmed ill from ten states. 28 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. Some ground beef has been recalled, but more product contaminated with E. coli O103 may still be on the market or in freezers.
April 26th, 2019
21 more ill people were added to this outbreak, since the last update on April 24th, 2019. Right now the total count is 177 people confirmed ill from ten states. 21 people have been hospitalized, no deaths have been reported. According to the CDC, ill people in this outbreak ate ground beef from many sources. As investigators continue to trace other sources for ground beef, more product contaminated with E. coli O103 may be recalled.
April 24th, 2019
CDC released a new update to this outbreak investigation where there are 156 people confirmed ill from ten states (FL, IL, MN, and MS were added) which means that 47 more ill people were added to this outbreak, since the last update on April 12, 2019. 20 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported so far. SNo common supplier, distributor, or brand of ground beef has been identified yet as the source of this outbreak, according to the CDC.
April 12th, 2019
13 more ill people were added to this outbreak, since the last update on April 9th, 2019. As of April 12th, the total count is 109 people confirmed ill from six states (Indiana added). 17 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported so far. Preliminary epidemiologic information suggests that ground beef is the source of this outbreak, according to the CDC.
April 9th, 2019
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last update, 24 ill people were added to this outbreak, and the total count now rises up to 96 people confirmed ill from five states. 11 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.
April 5th, 2019
The CDC is currently investigating an E. coli O103 outbreak that has affected 72 people in 5 states including Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, and Georgia. A specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of infections yet. Symptoms of illness typically include stomach cramps and diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea, and people generally become ill two to five days after consuming contaminated food.
To help stop the spread, it is recommended to wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, especially before eating, after going to the bathroom, handling raw meat and eggs, and after handling or petting animals;
Additional recommended steps to help reduce the spread of e.coli are
- Thoroughly washing produce before eating;
- Thoroughly cooking meat;
- Cleaning and sanitizing food preparation areas;
- Avoiding swallowing lake or pool water;
- Drinking only pasteurized milk;
- Frequently cleaning and sanitizing restrooms, including doorknobs and faucets; and
- Reporting diarrheal illnesses to your physician.
For more information, please visit the CDC page: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o103-04-19/index.html
