An E. coli outbreak reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sickened 72 people in a five-state area as of Thursday. Kentucky has the highest total infected of any state.

No deaths have been reported, but eight people have been hospitalized, including at least six from Kentucky.

Thirty-six people in all were infected in Kentucky, the CDC reports. At least five people were infected in Ohio.

The source of the outbreak is unclear, and the CDC is not recommending people avoid any particular foods at this time.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health said on March 29 that "food distribution is the likely mechanism for this outbreak."

In addition, "cases involve a number of children as well as adults" in the state.

E. coli symptoms

Symptoms including stomach cramping, diarrhea and bloody diarrhea arise about two-to-eight days after exposure to the germ.

To prevent exposure, the CDC recommends:

Washing your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom, changing diapers, and before and after preparing or eating food.

Cooking meats thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Cook steaks and roasts to at least 145 degrees and let rest for 3 minutes after you remove meat from the grill or stove.

Washing fruits and vegetables before eating, unless the package says the contents have been washed.

Refraining from preparing food or drink for others when you are sick.

The other states with ill people from E. coli are: Tennessee with 21; Georgia with eight; and Virginia with two, according to the CDC.

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