The peak of the outbreak occurred inthe last week of November. A total of 71 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. Coli O157:H7 have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from five states.

At this time, U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese and/or cooked ground beef are implicated as the items most likely to have been the vechiles of pathogen transmission. However, the exact cause has not be positively confirmed.

If individuals believe they may have experienced symptoms of illness after eating at a Taco Bell restaurant,, FDA recommends that they seek medical advice.