An E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef served at restaurants has sickened at least 11 people in four states, but in its first report on the investigation issued today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was mum on the names of any restaurants involved. E. coli infections in five people in Michigan, four in Ohio, 1 in Missouri and 1 in Massachusetts have all been linked to restaurant meals. Six of them were hospitalized, but none developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure.
Earlier today, a recall for almost 2 million pounds of ground beef products was issued by Wolverine Packing Company of Detroit. The recall included a 97-page list of ground beef products distributed to restaurants in four states, but no restaurant names.
In its advice to consumers, the CDC tells consumers who believe they may have contracted E. coli from ground beef served at a restaurant to see a doctor. Be sure to mention possible E. coli exposure as antibiotics can make E. coli infections worse.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection, which include abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea, usually set in about three days after exposure, but can take up to a week to develop. The case patients in this outbreak first became symptomatic between April 22, 2014 to May 2, 2014. They range in age from 19 years to 46 years, with a median age of 26 years. About 54 percent are male.
So, restaurants have served contaminated meat that has the potential to kill, and the CDC has kept the the names of the restaurants quiet. “Take your chances” must be the motto, eat where others have become sick, the E. Coli lottery sponsored by the CDC. Well, the only choice is to avoid all restaurants and definitely eat no hamburgers.