By Staff
LANSING – The Michigan Department of Community Health has confirmed 16 E. coli cases that are genetically linked and 10 of those cases have either prepared or consumed hamburger meat from Kroger.
The 16 genetically linked cases, E. coli O157, are present in seven Michigan counties including Eaton, Macomb, Washtenaw, Saginaw, Genesee, Wayne and Oakland.
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is issuing a public health alert due to illnesses from E. coli associated with ground beef. More than half of the Michigan patients report purchasing and consuming ground beef from Kroger Food Stores. Product traceback is in progress and additional retailers and outlets may be identified.
"Our top priority at the Michigan Department of Community Health is to protect the public," said Dr. Gregory Holzman, chief medical executive for MDCH. "Now that it is summertime and many people are having cook-outs, I strongly urge our residents to thoroughly cook their hamburgers. We want to ensure that the public's health and well-being is protected."
"Kroger is fully cooperating with state and federal investigators," said Don Koivisto, Michigan Department of Agriculture Director.
"It's critical that consumers follow safe food practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness such as cooking your meat thoroughly using a food thermometer to determine proper internal
temperature."
The patients became ill between May 31 and June 8. Additionally, individuals in Ohio also have been identified with the same genetic strain of E. coli O157. The confirmed Ohio and Michigan cases have been linked both epidemiologically and genetically to this outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The symptoms of STEC infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101F/less than 38.5C). Most people get better within 5-7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
For the most current information on the number of E. coli cases, visit www.michigan.gov/mdch