Outbreak of E. Coli Poisoning Investigated in Six States

A multistate outbreak of E. coli poisoning has sickened at least 14 people and killed one little girl, as it has spread across six states, health officials say. 

State health agencies and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are attempting to determine the source of a dangerous strain of E. coli O145, which is believed to be responsible for the death of a 21-month-old Louisiana girl.

At least three other people have been hospitalized with the same E. coli strain, which has been linked to illnesses in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee. The CDC issued an update of its outbreak investigation this week.

All of the victims were found to have the same genetic strain, meaning they likely contracted the illness from the same source. However, that source has remained elusive after investigators disqualified a petting zoo the little girl had visited.

The CDC has been investigating the outbreak since May 14. The largest number of illnesses, 5, have been reported in Georgia, with four in Louisiana. The remaining states have no more than two. The most recent illness was reported on June 4, but likely occurred in early May along with the rest of the cases.

Health officials are investigating whether the illnesses are linked to food poisoning or come from some other source.

E. coli  is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States, causing blood diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. When left untreated, it can lead to dehydration and potentially life-threatening illness.

While most healthy adults recover from food poisoning caused by E. coli within a few weeks, young children and the elderly could be at risk for more severe illness. If the toxin enters the blood stream, E. coli could also lead to a form of kidney failure known as Hemolytic-Urenia Syndrome (HUS).