At least 8 people have been hospitalized in an E. coli outbreak — and health officials suspect Panera could be the source

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April 6, 2018 2:44 PM

Eight E. coli illnesses were reported spanning four counties in New Jersey.

Eight people have been hospitalized for E. coli infections spanning four counties in New Jersey, the state health department told Business Insider.
The agency said it's investigating an unnamed chain restaurant as the potential cause of the outbreak.
A Warren County health official said the chain under investigation is

New Jersey health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak potentially linked to Panera bread that has led to at least eight hospitalizations.

Of the eight people hospitalized, five have been discharged, the state health department told Business Insider. The agency said it is investigating a chain restaurant as the potential cause of the outbreak, without naming the chain.

A county health official said the chain under investigation is Panera.

E. coli causes symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalization.

The New Jersey health department said it's working with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control to determine whether the strains of E. coli in each of the reported cases match, and to identify the source of the outbreak.

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