Posted: 06.06.2011

An adult in the Milwaukee area has been hospitalized likely with the same strain of E. coli that has sickened more than 1,800 worldwide.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker said Friday the adult traveled from Germany and likely contracted E. coli there. The person has a complication that can cause kidney failure and is being treated at an area hospital. He says the person is a probable case and they are awaiting confirmation.

Since the first case of a patient in Germany detected with the bacteria on May 1, the country's national disease control center reported Friday there are now 1,823 who have been sickened,
including at least 18 who died. While suspicion has fallen on vegetables, researchers have been unable to pinpoint the food responsible for the germ.

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