Federal health officials have reported that at least 19 individuals in Minnesota have fallen ill due to E. coli poisoning connected to a nationwide recall of over 167,000 pounds of possibly contaminated ground beef.
This week, Wolverine Packing Co., based in Detroit, issued a recall after Minnesota’s state agriculture officials flagged several cases of illness and discovered that a sample of their ground beef tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, a strain that can lead to severe health complications. This affected ground beef had been distributed to restaurants across the country.
Among the sickened individuals, four required hospitalization, with two of them experiencing serious complications that could lead to kidney failure, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Minnesota health department.
The infections were linked to hamburgers consumed at specific locations, including Red Cow restaurants in Minneapolis and Rochester, as well as the Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis.
So far, the U.S. Agriculture Department has indicated that no illnesses related to this outbreak have been reported outside of Minnesota. The individuals affected became ill between November 2 and November 14, and investigations into the matter are ongoing.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports that over a dozen individuals have been affected by E. coli poisoning linked to the recalled ground beef.
E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in various environments, including water, food, and within the intestines of humans and animals. While many strains of E. coli are harmless, some can result in severe illness.
Symptoms usually appear within a few days after consuming contaminated food and may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and signs of dehydration. Serious kidney injuries can occur, particularly in young children under five. Additionally, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. It’s crucial for parents to seek immediate medical help if their young children exhibit symptoms of E. coli poisoning.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
