June 30, 2008

 

DNA tracking helps uncover source of US e.coli outbreak

 
 

A beef retailer in Ohio is recalling an undetermined amount of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

 

These products were distributed to Kroger stores in Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio.

 

FSIS has confirmed that none of the affected products remain available for purchase at stores; however consumers are urged to discard or return the ground beef products for a refund if they still have them.

 

This recall was initiated after investigations determined that there is an association between the ground beef products and 32 illnesses reported in Michigan (15) and Ohio (17).

 

The illnesses were linked through the epidemiological investigation by their pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern, or DNA fingerprint, found in PulseNet, a database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.

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