E. Coli Outbreak Hits Ohio, At Least 5 People Infected

More than 70 people nationwide have been infected by a strain of E. coli, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced. Ohio is one of the five states impacted, with five identified cases in the Buckeye State.

The Ohio Department of Health told Patch they are monitoring the outbreak. The five confirmed cases in Ohio were located in Hamilton County (four cases) and Clermont County (one case). Notably, those two counties border Kentucky, where the outbreak has been most widespread.

Officials said that one Ohioan has been hospitalized because of E.coli. A 15-year-old boy in Hamilton County was admitted to the hospital after falling ill in mid-March, the Ohio Department of Health told Patch.

The CDC said it has not yet identified the source of the outbreak. The agencies are not recommending consumers avoid any specific food, grocery store or restaurant at this time. The investigation into the outbreak is rapidly evolving though, the agencies said.

There have been no reported deaths so far, but there have been eight hospitalizations connected to the outbreak.

According to the CDC, the outbreak of E.coli O103 illnesses began appearing between March 2 and March 29. The infected people range in age from 1-years-old to 74-years-old. The average age of the infected is 17.

Symptoms of E.coli will generally begin to appear within two to eight days of ingesting the germ. Most people will begin to show symptoms within four days.

The CDC said that symptoms of E.coli 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.

Anyone that has diarrhea for three days should contact their doctor immediately. Anyone that has diarrhea and a high fever should also contact their doctor.

Currently, five states have confirmed cases of E.coli, including: Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia. Kentucky has been hit the hardest, with 36 confirmed cases.

For more information on the outbreak, from the CDC, visit their website.