E. coli sickens 14 this week in St. Louis area

[October 28, 2011]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 14 people this week in St. Louis and the surrounding county.

St. Louis County health department spokesman John Shelton said Thursday that all 14 cases of the food-borne illness have been reported since Tuesday and that no one has died. He says he's not sure if anyone was hospitalized.

Those sickened range in age from 4 to 94 years old and live in various parts of the county. State and federal health officials have been notified of the outbreak.

Those sickened by E. coli bacteria can experience a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, urinary tract infection, respiratory illness and pneumonia. It is commonly spread through consumption of contaminated food and water.

[Associated Press]

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