According to a Tennessee Department of Health outbreak announcement, at least 9 children fell ill in East Tennessee in connection with the outbreak. Five were hospitalized and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
On November 21, 2013, the Tennessee Department of Health announced that it had confirmed McBee Dairy Farm to be the source of the children's E. coli infections. The health department investigation into the E.coli outbreak involved an on-site inspection of the farm, which resulted in the collection of animal waste that tested positive for the same strain of E. coli that had been isolated from the ill children. The investigation also involved interviews with 88 households that purchased milk from the farm.
Early symptoms of raw milk-related E. coli infection can include upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and flu-like symptoms including fever, headache and body aches. People who have any of these symptoms after drinking raw milk should see their health care provider and notify their local health department.