Biosecurity

Multistate E. coli outbreak leads to meat recall

Beef products are probably the cause of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened seven people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From June 27 to September 4, seven people ages 1 to 74 from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts contracted E. coli O157:H7. No deaths have been reported, but five of the seven have been hospitalized, the CDC reported.The CDC, the Department of Agriculture and multiple states are investigating the outbreak, which was traced to the Adams Farm Slaughterhouse in Athol, Massachusetts.

Two to eight days after consuming contaminated meat, patients with E. coli infections typically have symptoms of dehydration, bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps. Most E. coli victims recover in about a week. In rare cases, the infection can cause kidney failure. This occurs most often in young children and older adults, and is evident by easy bruising, pallor and low urine output. People with these symptoms should seek medical help immediately.