CDC investigating outbreak of E. coli, say ground beef may be source

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it, several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103 infections. Preliminary information suggests that ground beef is the source of this outbreak. This investigation is ongoing. A total of 109 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 have been reported from six states. Seventeen people have been hospitalized. No cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, have been reported. No deaths have been reported. Preliminary epidemiologic information suggests that ground beef is the source of this outbreak. At this time, no common supplier, distributor, or brand of ground beef has been identified. CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid eating ground beef at this time. Consumers and restaurants should handle ground beef safely and cook it thoroughly to avoid foodborne illness. At this time, CDC is not recommending that retailers stop serving or selling ground beef. Publicly traded companies in the space include Tyson Foods (TSN) and Hormel (HRL).

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