WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- An E. coli outbreak is spreading throughout the Southern United States. The bacteria is blamed for 14 cases of illness and one death across six states, according to the Associated Press.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told AP they have not identified a cause for the outbreak yet.
This outbreak is a result of E. coli 0145, a strain that produces a dangerous toxin called Shiga. Three people were hospitalized, and one child in the New Orleans area died, according to AP.
According to the CDC, the best way to avoid infection is to clean fruits and vegetables well, to wash hands thoroughly after handling raw food or waste, and to cook meats thoroughly (to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit).