E. coli outbreak sickens 34 statewide
Midday update
Source of Article: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/810020381
Nine
confirmed E. coli infections were connected to MSU. Another five cases were
discovered at the Lenawee County Jail, as well as five in
There have been 18 hospitalizations, including five MSU students
and at least one person in seven other counties.
Health officials say some of the recent cases might be associated
with industrial-sized packages of iceberg lettuce sold to restaurants and
institutions from Detroit-based Aunt Mid's Produce
Co.
E. coli bacteria are commonly found in the human digestive tract
and are usually harmless.
But the strain involved in the MSU cases and others around the
state, E. coli 0157:H7, produces something called a Shiga toxin, which can
damage intestines and kidneys and cause bloody diarrhea, the warning sign of an
infection.
The MSU outbreak began the week of Sept. 8 and the Department of
Community Health said all cases thus far have been linked to a time period
between Sept. 8 and Sept. 19.
The Associated Press and Lansing State Journal reporter Matthew
Miller contributed to this report.
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