The number of people who have fallen ill due to an E. coli outbreak has increased to 96 and 11 have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Originally, the CDC reported last Friday that 72 people had contacted E. coli, but an update Monday listed the increased cases and hospitalizations (there had been eight who were admitted, previously). The outbreak has spread across five different states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and Georgia. Eleven people have been hospitalized. There have been no reports of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. The CDC's investigation is still ongoing, as no specific food item, restaurant chain, or grocery store has been identified for causing the outbreak. People usually get sick from E. coli three to four days after swallowing the germ. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. To prevent E. coli infection, the CDC recommends washing hands and cooking meat thoroughly to kill harmful germs, among other things. Small business:Entrepreneurs, here's how to lower your small business taxes Financial responsibility:Can prepaid debit cards for kids make them smarter about money? Follow USA TODAY intern Ben Tobin on Twitter: @TobinBen<doc-sep>By Faith Karimi, CNN (CNN) — At least 156 people in 10 states have been infected with E. coli after eating tainted ground beef at home and in restaurants, federal officials said. Of the people infected so far, 20 have been hospitalized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. No deaths have been reported. The cases include people who’ve eaten the beef since March 1, the agency said, but no supplier, distributor or brand of beef has been identified. “Traceback investigations are ongoing to determine the source of raw ground beef supplied to grocery stores and restaurant locations where ill people reported eating,” the CDC said. People fell ill starting March 1, the agency said. Those infected range in age from younger than 1 to 83 years old, with a median age of 19. “Illnesses that occurred after March 26 might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill with E. coli and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to three weeks,” the CDC said. The CDC earlier this month said it had identified ground beef as the food responsible for an outbreak that at the time involved 109 cases of illnesses in six states. The outbreak has now expanded to include: Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi and Minnesota. Meanwhile, Colorado Premium Foods recalled more than 113,000 pounds of raw ground beef products due to possible E. Coli contamination, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said Tuesday in a statement. The Georgia company said the ground beef items were produced on March 26 and 29, and on April 2, 5, 10 and 12. There’s no established link between the product and the ongoing E. coli outbreak, according to the statement. Symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. They begin, on average, three to four days after ingesting the bacteria. Most people recover in five to seven days. Consumers are urged to prevent the spread of E. coli by washing hands, cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees and keeping uncooked foods away from raw beef to prevent cross-contamination. The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.<doc-sep>
Nearly 100 people across five states have been sickened by an E.coli outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday. The outbreak has affected residents in Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — with the highest number of cases (46) reported in Kentucky. While no deaths have been reported, at least 11 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak, according to the federal health agency. E. COLI OUTBREAK IN KENTUCKY SICKENS NEARLY 50 PEOPLE, HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY “This investigation is still ongoing and a specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of infections,” the CDC said. The agency's statement echoed that of Barbara Fox, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, who told Fox News late last week a "possible food contamination source" may be the culprit. That said, she noted officials "can't fully confirm that at this time" as "interviews are ongoing with those affected." E. coli are bacteria found in both human and animal intestines. While most strains are harmless, some are pathogenic and can cause illness, which typically includes stomach cramps and diarrhea, according to the CDC. The bacteria can be transmitted through contaminated water or food and sometimes through contact with other people and animals. USDA WILL NO LONGER USE KITTENS, CATS AS SUBJECTS IN CONTROVERSIAL FOOD-SAFETY TESTING While most people recover after several days, some E. coli infection cases can be life-threatening. This is especially true for pregnant women, newborns, older or elderly adults and those with weakened immune systems. The CDC recommends thorough handwashing, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking meat thoroughly and avoiding cross-contamination in food preparation areas as ways to prevent E. coli illness.