Twelve people in New Hampshire have been sickened with the same strain of E. coli. While officials are pointing toward ground beef as the culprit, as this is the same food all of those who became ill consumed, they have all eaten it at different locations. [1]
“The Division of Public Health Services is working with our federal partners to investigate the source of the ground beef that is causing people in New Hampshire to become ill. Ground beef is a known source of E. coli and it is important for people to avoid eating under-cooked ground beef whether at home or at a restaurant,” said Marcella Bobinsky of the Division of Public Health Services.
However, state health officials are telling people not to be alarmed. E. coli poses no risk to the general populace as long as the beef is cooked fully.
Beth Daly of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control, said:
“You’re gonna want to make sure that you cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and that you validate that temperature by using a thermometer. And then of course if you’re eating out in a restaurant, you don’t want to eat undercooked ground beef either, so you’re gonna want to order those hamburgers well done.”
State officials are currently working with the US Department of Agriculture to find out what caused the outbreak and whether anyone else has been affected. Daly says once they can pinpoint this, they can advise people not to eat a certain type of ground beef altogether.
E. coli makes sufferers very ill with symptoms that mimic the stomach flu. They include fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most people recover on their own within 5 to 7 days, however, those under the age of 5, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions are the most vulnerable. These populations could experience more serious side effects and complications than the general population.
If you think you may be infected with E. coli, contact your doctor or visit the local emergency room for confirmation.
Sources:
[1] Fox News
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