Number of Illinesses Tied to Nebraska Beef May Grow

The number of cases involved in the E. coli outbreak that prompted Nebraska Beef Ltd.’s recall of 5.3 million pounds of beef could grow.

So far 41 illnesses in Michigan and Ohio have been linked to Nebraska Beef’s products.

The federal Centers for Disease Control is investigating at least eight cases of E. coli reported in southwest Georgia to determine whether the cases are linked to the outbreak.

But CDC spokeswoman Arleen Porcell said test results answering that question aren’t expected before Friday.

The Southwest Georgia Public Health District has determined that all the people who became ill there ate food from the same local barbecue restaurant, which recently began buying Nebraska Beef’s meat.