Health officials continue to seek information into a mild E.
coli outbreak reported in five Michigan counties, including Livingston.
While
their investigation isn’t complete, health officials believe the five reported
cases of E. coli infection are linked to undercooked ground beef served at
several different restaurants.
All
cases were reported between April 22 and May 1.
The
Livingston County patient, a man in his 20s, is expected to make a full
recovery, according to county medical director Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk.
“He’s
young and fit,” Lawrenchuk said.
Other people with pre-existing health conditions would be at
more risk from an infection of this sort, he added.
While no severe complications were reported among any of the
patients, an E. coli infection can cause severe diarrhea, with bleeding, and
even lead to kidney failure.
Young children and the elderly are particularly at risk, said
Dr. Matthew Davis, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of
Community Health.
Reported cases also involved residents of Oakland, Washtenaw,
Kent and Ottawa counties. Because of the spread of patients, health officials
believe more than one restaurant was likely involved.
They also believe the food they ate was undercooked rather than
contaminated, though a U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation continues
into the source of the beef.
Health officials noted that E. coli infections are often linked
to grilled foods. They advise individuals to send back any raw-looking meat
they receive while dining out and to use precautions while grilling at home.
“This is the time of year when people resume grilling, and we
want to make sure they take appropriate measures,” Lawrenchuk said.
They include frequent hand washing to avoid contamination and
cooking to an internal temperature of 160 degrees for ground beef, or 165
degrees for poultry, to kill bacteria.
“This was a wake-up call,” Lawrenchuk said, “not just for those
affected, but for all of us.”
Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Wayne Peal at
517-548-7081 or at wpeal@gannett.com.
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