Dozens affected by E. coli outbreak across five states, including Ohio

TOLEDO, Ohio (WWNO) -- The Centers for Disease Control is investigating dozens of cases of E. coli across five states, including Ohio.

The cause for the outbreak is still a mystery.

There have been 72 reported cases, 5 of which were in Ohio near Cincinnati in Hamilton and Clermont Counties.

Health care professionals said it's a good time for people to make sure they're taking extra precautions to avoid coming in contact with the bacteria.

"It can be in meat, it can be in unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized cider, it can be any kind of food product," said Michael Mattin, ProMedica Toledo Hospital medical director.

In a report, the CDC says it's still trying to figure out what is causing the rapid spread of the bacteria.

"It can be really anything at this point, I mean you're just not sure because basically it's anytime that bacteria is on any food that contaminates it, and can get to us and as we know there's a lot of different food that partake," said Mattin.

Meats and produce are the usual culprits and after the recent E. coli outbreak involving romaine lettuce some residents try to avoid it altogether by washing all fruits and veggies.

"You don't know where they've been, you're not really sure where they've come from, so it's just a really good idea to wash them even with gentle dish soap and a little brush that really helps to cut down on the potential for E. coli," said Trina Meadows from Maumee.

Medical experts say hand washing is key to avoid coming in contact with the Shiga toxin producing strain of E. coli that causes infection.

"The biggest thing you can do, wash your hands before you make food, wash your hands after you change babies diapers, wash your hands when you're dealing with animals. Wash your area that you're prepping food in, you know you're counter tops those kind of things, make sure you're cooking your meat to the temperature that its supposed to be cooked to," said Mattin.

Since a cause hasn't been determined yet the CDC says there are no specific foods, restaurants or grocery stores to avoid.

It usually takes three to four days for people to get sick after swallowing the germ but experts say it should go away on its own not too long after.

"It starts with abdominal cramping, then you're getting nausea, some diarrhea, typically you're going to think bloody type diarrhea, usually it's self-limited meaning its going to go away on it's own, with you just kind of taking care of yourself and it's going to go away in about a week," said Mattin.

A total of eight people have been hospitalized so far from the outbreak and there haven't been any deaths reported.

The CDC says it's working rapidly to identify the cause.