No source has been determined, but the investigation is evolving with speed.
This April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the presence of what appears to be a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in the U.S. The investigation is ongoing and ground beef seems to be the source.
How bad is it? So far, seventeen people have been hospitalized with the infection. Thankfully, no one has died. There has been a total of 109 reported cases and the outbreak is spanning six states covering Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.
The CDC’s website states that traceback investigations are currently in process but a single source has yet to be determined. What is known is that all those who fell ill ate ground beef either at a restaurant or at home.
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So, avoid the burgers and spaghetti? The CDC isn’t yet warning consumers to stop eating ground beef, or advising retailers to stop serving or selling it, but common sense precautions still prevail.
Always keep raw meat separate from other foods that you won’t be cooking before eating. Wash your hands immediately after handling raw meat, and before touching anything.
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t eat raw meat. In addition, cook your ground beef to an internal temperature of at least 160°F.
More updates on this outbreak will come soon as the CDC says the investigation is evolving rapidly. For more information on this issue, check out the Centers’ website.
