E. Coli Outbreak Grows To 10 States, Including Illinois

The CDC says that they're keeping track of 196 cases, including 28 people winding up in the hospital, up from 177 cases two weeks ago.

Grant Park Packing of Franklin Park, Illinois, recalled an estimated 52,300 pounds of raw ground beef on April 24th and K2D Foods, doing business as Colorado Premium Foods, in Carrollton, Georgia, recalled more than 113,400 pounds on April 23.

Here's the latest on the outbreak from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website:

• A total of 196 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 have been reported from 10 states.
• Twenty-eight people have been hospitalized. Two cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, have been reported. No deaths have been reported.
• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that ground beef is the likely source of this outbreak.
• Ill people in this outbreak report eating ground beef at home and in restaurants.
• Laboratory testing identified the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 in a sample of ground beef collected from a location where ill people reported eating in Tennessee.
• Traceback investigations are ongoing to determine the source of ground beef supplied to grocery stores and other locations where ill people reported eating.
• Two companies have recalled ground beef products that were sold to restaurants and institutions because they may be contaminated with E. coli O103.
• At this time, no common supplier, distributor, or brand of ground beef has been identified that could account for the whole outbreak. Other products may be recalled.
• Restaurants, retailers, and institutions should not sell or serve recalled ground beef.
• CDC recommends that consumers and restaurants always handle ground beef safely and cook it thoroughly to avoid foodborne illness.

Speaking of cooking things properly, click here to read why you should never eat a hamburger that's been cooked to "rare."