Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef

FILE - This undated file image made available by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the Exserohilum rostratum fungus. The black mold creeping into the spines of hundreds of people who got tainted shots for back pain marks uncharted medical territory. Doctors are beginning to detail in medical journals the first deaths in this outbreak, and the grim autopsy findings make clear that treating early is crucial, before the fungus becomes entrenched. (AP Photo/The Centers for Disease Control, File) (AP)

Federal health officials say at least 16 people in five states have been sickened by salmonella food poisoning linked to ground beef.

No one has died, but half of those sickened were hospitalized. Most of the illnesses have been in Michigan, but there were a few cases in Arizona, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced investigative efforts among state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies found that ground beef produced by Jouni Meats, Inc. and Gab Halal Foods were the likely sources of this outbreak.

On Jan. 24, Journi Meats recalled 500 pounds of its ground beef products. The following day, Gab Halal recalled 550 pounds of its ground beef products.

Seven people reported eating a popular raw ground beef dish called kibbeh (kib-BEH') last month at a suburban Detroit restaurant before becoming ill. Because it takes on average two to three weeks from when a person becomes ill to when an illness is reported, more people could be sick from the tainted meat.

Health officials say consumers should not eat uncooked meat.

Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino