Georgia has one lab-confirmed case of a bacterial infection that is a molecular match to 44 previously reported cases in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and New York, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Georgia health officials are investigating at least seven more cases of E. coli, all of them in Colquitt County, said Taka Wiley, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Human Resources.
Beef from a Moultrie restaurant tested positive for E. coli, health officials said.
All 45 illnesses in the outbreak are attributed to the same type of E. coli, one that causes a potentially deadly bacterial infection. The great majority -- 41 -- were in Ohio and Michigan.
The illnesses began between May 27 and June 24. CDC officials say 23 of the victims have been hospitalized and one developed kidney failure, but no one has died.
The outbreak has been traced to beef sold in Kroger supermarkets in Michigan and Ohio. The Kroger Co. last month recalled ground beef sold in Michigan and Ohio stores, then this month expanded it to include other states. Nebraska Beef Ltd. supplied the meat, ultimately recalling 5.3 million pounds of beef.
Georgia health officials said the Moultrie restaurant got some of its meat from Nebraska Beef.