A recent E. coli O157 outbreak in Michigan has been genetically matched to one in Ohio, where local, state and federal health officials are currently investigating at least four similar cases. “There is a genetic match to the cases in Michigan, but right now, we have not determined if there is a common source,” said Melanie Amato, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Health. She said the case count in Ohio includes three in Lucas County and one in Portage County and involve adults ranging in age from 19 to 42 years. The five (and possibly six) Michigan cases of E. coli infection include adults aged 20 to 41 from the following five counties: Oakland, Washtenaw, Ken, Livingston and Ottawa. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, three of the people sickened were hospitalized. They had reported the onset of symptoms between April 22 and May 1, 2014. The potential sixth Michigan case, reportedly a woman from the Grand Traverse area, had recently been in Grand Rapids, where she had consumed ground beef. However, her case had not been conclusively linked to the same strain of E. coli as the other Michigan cases. The people sickened in Michigan all indicated to health officials that they had consumed undercooked hamburger prior to developing symptoms. Michigan health officials have reportedly been trying to track down the source of the meat. Symptoms of E. coli infection can vary from person to person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most people get better within five to seven days. Some infections are very mild; however, others are severe or can even be life-threatening.
