According to media reports, Missouri State health officials confirmed that a dozen people in central Missouri are infected with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria from a common source. The counties with victims are Boone, Cooper, Howard, Jackson and Marion.

The State Public Health Laboratory linked the cases through lab tests, case histories and locations.

The State officials also identified the Stroupe Farm in Howard County as the source of the raw milk consumed by eight of the individuals with E. coli. The farm has voluntarily stopped selling raw dairy products.

The 2-year-old who was hospitalized (likely with hemolytic uremic syndrome – HUS) with E. coli is among the 12 and remains hospitalized.