Food Safety News reports that an E. coli O157 outbreak in Michigan has been genetically matched to one in Ohio, where local, state and federal health officials are currently investigating at least four similar cases.

The case count in Ohio includes three in Lucas County and one in Portage County and involve adults ranging in age from 19 to 42 years.

The five Michigan cases of E. coli infection include adults aged 20 to 41 from the following five counties: Oakland, Washtenaw, Ken, Livingston and Ottawa. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, three of the five people sickened were hospitalized.  According to the Record-Eagle,a Grand Traverse region resident likely is the sixth Michigander diagnosed with E. coli poisoning in recent weeks.  The woman lives in an area covered by the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department. She recently traveled to Grand Rapids where she ate ground beef.

Those sickened in Michigan indicated to health officials that they had consumed undercooked hamburger prior to developing symptoms. Michigan health officials have reportedly been trying to track down the source of the meat.

Symptoms of E. coli infection can vary from person to person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most people get better within five to seven days. Some infections are very mild; however, others are severe or can even be life-threatening.

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  They have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.