According to news repots, items purchased at Schnucks salad bars appear to be the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has thirty-three region wide, according to a preliminary study conducted by the St. Louis County Health Department. There are reports that the stores involved are located in downtown St. Louis, High Ridge, Ballwin, and Ladue.

“The majority of the cases so far, people went to different Schnucks stores and purchased items off their salad bars,” said St. Louis County health department spokesman John Shelton.

The latest numbers show 33 cases region wide, including 26 in St. Louis County. No one has died and Shelton says none of the illnesses appears to be life threatening.

Investigators with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta are helping with the investigation. The patients range in age from one year old to 94, Shelton said.