The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is investigating 80 cases of illness potentially related to the multi-state outbreak of E. coli 0157 infection associated with Taco Bell restaurants.

Included in the total are 30 cases that meet the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definition as being associated with the outbreak.  This includes 23 confirmed cases in Middlesex (19), Somerset (2), Essex (1) and Union (1) counties.  All 23 have strains of E. coli 0157 that match those of other confirmed cases in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Carolina.

The other 7 -- all probable cases according to the CDC definition – are from Middlesex (2), Union (2), Essex (1), Camden (1) and Hunterdon (1) counties.

New Jersey’s 30 outbreak-associated cases are linked to Taco Bell restaurants in Camden, Middlesex, Union, Passaic, and Somerset Counties.  The 30 people ranged in age from 4 to 48, and became ill between November 22 and Dec. 2. The average age is 16.

Forty-two cases are considered suspect under the CDC definition and an additional 8 investigations are in the preliminary stages.

"No specific food has been implicated yet.  Federal, state and local health officials continue to investigate this outbreak and continue to evaluate possible sources of the E. coli contamination," said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D.

“People who develop symptoms of possible E. coli infection should contact their health care provider immediately.  Symptoms could include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps or vomiting, but usually not fever,” Dr. Jacobs said.

The Department will provide daily updates of case counts and test results at www.state.nj.us/health.