An E. coli outbreak linked to a barbecue restaurant in Northeast Georgia sickened as many as 18 people, health officials announced Friday. This case count includes 7 more illnesses than the 11 reported on May 21. BBQ Shack restaurant in Toccoa, GA is the suspected source of the E. coli bacteria, which was confirmed as the source of 11 of the 18 cases through lab analysis. The other 7 cases are suspected, reported OnlineAthens. Several of the victims were hospitalized as a result of their infections, and five developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli infection that leads to kidney failure. These five patients are recovering, a press officer for the local health department told OnlineAthens. The outbreak appears to be over, and to have lasted only a short time, according to health officials. Patients fell ill between May 4 and May 8, 2013. No cases with onset dates after May 8 have been reported. “The risk is gone,” said Nancy Nydam, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Public Health. Among the potential vehicles of the bacteria identified by investigators is iced tea served at the restaurant. “We’re looking at everything on the Menu,” Nydam told OnlineAthens Friday.
