CDC Food Safety Alert: E. coli O103 outbreak linked to ground beef

A CDC investigation update of a multistate outbreak of E. coli O103 infections has been posted https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o103-04-19/index.html.

Updates:

• Two companies have recalled ground beef products that were sold to restaurants and institutions because they may be contaminated with E. coli O103.
  • Grant Park Packing in Franklin Park, Ill., recalled approximately 53,200 pounds of raw ground beef products on April 24, 2019.
  • K2D Foods, doing business as Colorado Premium Foods, in Carrollton, Ga., recalled approximately 113,424 pounds of raw ground beef products on April 23, 2019.
• Laboratory testing identified the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 in a ground beef sample taken from these companies. Testing is ongoing to determine if another ground beef sample from one of these companies also contained the outbreak strain.
• Some ill people in this outbreak ate ground beef from sources other than the products currently recalled. Investigators continue to trace other sources for ground beef, and more products may be recalled.
• Since the last update on April 23, 2019, 21 additional ill people have been reported, bringing the total to 177 cases in 10 states.
• Twenty-one ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths and no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (a type of kidney failure) have been reported.
• Reported illnesses began from March 1, 2019 to April 14, 2019.
• This is a rapidly evolving investigation. CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.

Advice to consumers:

• Handle ground beef safely and cook it thoroughly to prevent foodborne illness.
• Consumers should cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160˚F.
• Wash hands with soap and water after touching raw ground beef.
• Keep raw meat separate from foods that won’t be cooked before eating.
• Thoroughly wash countertops, cutting boards, plates, and utensils with hot, soapy water or a bleach solution after they touch raw meat.
• Don’t eat raw or undercooked ground beef.
• Never eat recalled ground beef.
• After cooking ground beef, refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
• Thaw ground beef in the refrigerator. Cook or refreeze within 2 days.
• Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection.

Advice to restaurants and retailers:

• Do not sell or serve the recalled ground beef from K2D Foods and Grant Park Packing because it may be contaminated with E. coli O103 and could make people sick.

About Shiga toxin-producing E. coli:

• People get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli an average of 3 to 4 days after swallowing the germ. Most people get diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps, and vomiting.
• Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.
• Antibiotics are not recommended for patients with suspected E. coli infections until diagnostic testing can be performed and E. coli infection is ruled out.
• More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/ecoli-prevention.html.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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