The same genetic strain of E. coli bacteria that sickened students at Michigan State University this month has been linked to at least eight other cases throughout Michigan, including one at the University of Michigan and five at the Lenawee County Jail.  The findings have led investigators to believe that the patients all got ill from ingesting the same contaminated food source.  So, what do two universities and a county jail have in common?

DNA fingerprinting for three MSU students matched those of patients who became sick from E. coli in Washtenaw, St. Clair, Wayne and Lenawee counties since September 8.  The Washtenaw County case was a UM student and the five in Lenawee County were inmates in the jail.