The state Department of Public Health has identified six cases of a virulent form of E. coli infection, possibly linked to undercooked ground beef:

The Massachusetts cases range in age from three to 60 years. They include residents of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties. They reported becoming ill between July 10th and 16th. At least five of the cases were hospitalized. These cases may be linked to 20 other cases in several states and Quebec that were caused by the same strain of E. coli.