The Mendon Meadows Marketplace recall of ground beef products is being called a precautionary recall by the company, although it has already been potentially linked to two E. coli O157 illnesses in Western New York.
Health officials have yet to identify possible sources of the outbreak. Meanwhile, Monroe County residents are being urged to check with their health care providers if they or their children experience the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea (although bloody diarrhea is a common symptom of E. coli infection, it is not always present);
- Abdominal pain or cramping;
- Fever, along with the other symptoms.
Symptoms typically occur about three days after exposure, with a range of one to nine days. Because E. coli infections can be serious or fatal, especially for young children and the elderly, prompt diagnosis is vital.