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E. coli continues to spread in Michigan and Ohio putting millions on high alert

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  • An outbreak of E. coli continues to spread in Michigan and Ohio.
  • Residents are on high alert due to the rapidly spreading E. coli bacteria.
  • Authorities have yet to discover where the bacteria originated.

Be careful if you live Michigan or Ohio. A “rapidly” spreading outbreak of E. coli bacteria has infected dozens of people and hospitalized nine others in these two states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned.

The CDC announced through a press release on Wednesday that 29 people have been sickened due to the outbreak of the bacteria that came from a still unknown source. No deaths had been reported since the first infection was identified in July, Fox News reported on Thursday, August 18.

Alert of rapidly spreading E. coli bacteria

Alert of rapidly spreading bacteria

The number of infected people could increase over time due to the uncertainty of the origin of the E. coli outbreak. People infected so far have ranged in age between six and 91 years-old, according to reports from health authorities cited by Fox News.

The CDC said it will use its PulseNet system to track the cause of the E. coli bacteria outbreak during its investigation. They also stated that the actual number of infected people may be higher and the outbreak may have spread to other US states apart from Ohio and Michigan.

What if I get infected with E. coli?

What to do if I get infected with the bacteria?
Image: Shutterstock

«Some of the illnesses reported in Michigan and Ohio have not yet been reported to the PulseNet system, but researchers are working quickly to add them to PulseNet to determine if they may be part of this outbreak,» the CDC said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Fox News reported that if a person thinks they are infected with E. coli, the CDC recommends that they keep track of what they ate in the week before infection, report the illness to their state or local health department, and answer any other questions about the disease that public health officials may have.

What are the symptoms of the disease?

What are the symptoms of the disease?

Symptoms of E. coli infection often vary from person to person, but typically include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The CDC stated that most patients recover after five to seven days. Some infections are mild, while other severe cases can lead to death.

Illness can occur one to 10 days after exposure to eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria. So far, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 15 infected people in Michigan and another 14 in Ohio.

How can you avoid infection?

How to avoid infections?

Some steps that can help prevent infection include washing hands, utensils, and cooking surfaces. Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods that will not be cooked with them. Use a thermometer to ensure a temperature high enough to kill pathogens and refrigerate perishable foods, advised WFLA.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported this week that it received reports of at least 98 cases of E. coli infections this month, nearly 80 more than reported in August of last year. While the lab investigation is still in its early stages, the department said some cases have been linked. “While reports of E. coli illness typically increase during the warmer summer months, this significant jump in cases is frightening,” Natasha Bagdasarian, medical executive director of that department, said in a statement.

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