E. coli Outbreaks in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio has had two E. coli outbreaks in less than 9 months. The most recent outbreak began in April. According to health officials, there are 8 confirmed cases of E. coli from the April 2006 E. coli outbreak. The source for 5 of the of these cases appears to be raw lamb purchased from a Middle Eastern meat market in Toledo. One 5-year-old boy is hospitalized. He had eaten a dish called kibbe that had been prepared using the raw lamb.
The earlier E. coli outbreak that occurred in September 2005 saw 15 confirmed cases of E. coli poisoning. One person died in that outbreak. The Ohio Department of Health has been investigating the source of the outbreak. Although the final report is not in, a Toledo caterer is strongly suspected to be the source. The name of the caterer is being withheld until the final report is issued.
