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Kentucky health officials say E coli outbreak linked to fast food

March 29, 2019

After a relatively sudden increase in the number of E. coli cases reported in children and teens linked to fast food, the Kentucky Department of Public Health issued an alert this week, saying that most of those sickened lived in Central Kentucky. 

According to Lexington-based news station, WKYT-TV, the alert said that the instances of E. coli 0103 were reported between March 5 and March 25, and included a total of 19 confirmed cases, many in children and teenagers living in the mid-section of the Bluegrass State. The health department said those affected had "extensive exposure to fast food."

Acute diarrhea is a symptom of E. coli 0103. The Kentucky Department of Health has not yet responded to a request for further information about the brands involved and if the central source of the infections has been identified.