E. Coli Cases May Be Associated With Food Chain In NJ: State

The NJ Department of Health says it's investigating E. Coli cases that might be associated with a restaurant chain in at least three New Jersey counties — Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren. About six cases have been reported, but DOH spokeswoman Donna Leusner said the investigation is still in the preliminary stages and the department will submit its research to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. The process could take longer than a week.

Leusner would not confirm the restaurant chain in question because state officials can't yet fully establish an indisputable connection between the cases and the company. She would only say the cases "might" be associated with a chain.

"It is still very early on in the investigation and it can be very difficult to determine where someone got sick, or pinpoint the source," Leusner told Patch.

As part of the state's investigation, the DOH will trace back the food product and conduct lab testing. The department will also interview the patients and talk to the restaurant.

"Since several counties are involved, they could've gotten sick at home or another restaurant," Leusner said. "The source or food product cannot be determined until state lab tests are done to tell if they match the various cases of illness and confirm testing with the CDC."

A spokeswoman with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville referred questions about the E. Coli cases to the state health department.

(Image via angellodeco/Shutterstock.com)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.