There is no doubt that the Sizzler was the source of the infection in the 30 people, he said. We believe it's basically case closed. This restaurant was the source of infection. E. coli is a common kind of bacteria, found in the digestive system of all humans. But some strains of it can cause severe illness.
Transmission comes through the mouth, usually by eating foods that contain the bacteria.
Foods that have been implicated range from ground beef to lettuce and sprouts, and some transmission also comes through water, researchers say. There are no cures for E. coli infection or the more serious complication, HUS, Henrickson said. City health officials still want to hear from people who ate at the Sizzler and are experiencing symptoms. The Health Department has been swamped with calls from people who ate at the restaurant recently, and is likely not to call back people without infection symptoms, Foldy said. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 30, 2000.