Breaking News: E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Update

The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Agriculture jointly announced today that the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 has been identified in a sample of ground beef provided to state investigators by one of the outbreak victims. The sample had been purchased at the Kroger Marketplace in Gahanna, Ohio.

USDA is conducting a trace-back investigation to determine the source of the contaminated ground meat. Kroger's is cooperating with the government efforts.

Ohio is continuing its investigation into 19 cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that are linked to the contaminated ground beef and also are linked to 15 cases in Michigan. According to CDC, all of the victims became infected in late May and early June.

If you have eaten cooked ground meat and have experienced any symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection, please contact your health care professional and your local public health office. This outbreak may extend beyond the states of Ohio and Michigan.