August 5, 2008 Bay State health officials investigate E. coli cases Play video

(John Moroney, NECN) - State health officials in Massachusetts are warning that if you're going to eat meat, make sure it's fully cooked. The warning comes after six cases of E. coli, linked to raw meat popped up in the state.

Ground beef. It's making people sick in at least 11 states and Canada. The reason: E.coli contamination an outbreak that has reached Massachusetts.

They reported becoming ill between July 10 and July 16. They were all victims of a virulent bacteria strain, E. coli O157:H7, that is harbored mainly in the intestines of cattle, said Dr. Bela Matyas, medical director of the epidemiology program for the state health department.

In the Bay State, six people have become sick from E. coli bacteria. Five have been hospitalized. They're between the ages of three and sixty and live in either Middlesex, Suffolk or Essex counties.

The source of the contaminated ground beef has not yet been found.

The strain of E.coli identified in more than two dozen people around the nation and canada can cause diarrhea, dehydration and in serve cases kidney failure.

The state department of public health says people can avoid getting sick if they make sure their beef is cooked to 160-degrees Fahrenheit.