3 dozen fall ill in E. coli picnic case

GERMANTOWN, Ohio (WDTN) - The number stricken by a case of E. coli has grown.

Thirty-six people have become ill, nine of those hospitalized, according to the latest numbers from Dayton and Montgomery County Public Health.

All the victims ate food at a picnic at Neff’s Lawn Care in Germantown. Wharton said as many as 200-300 people may have attended the annual customer appreciation picnic on July 3.

Symptoms experienced by those who became ill include stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. If someone attended the picnic and ate contaminated food, they might still become ill up through July 11, Wharton cautioned.

The health department is asking that anyone who became ill after attending the event call 937-225-4460 and report their illness.

Of the ill, 5 have been confirmed to be infected by E. coli 0157.