SAN DIEGO (KSWB/CNN) – Federal health officials are investigating E. coli outbreaks at Marine Corps Depot San Diego and Camp Pendleton after more than 200 recruits have been sickened.
The first cases of diarrheal illnesses were reported last Wednesday, but base officials say they spiked Tuesday.
Among the patients, 12 have been admitted to an off-base hospital, and the rest are in quarantine at military medical facilities.
The source of the outbreak is under investigation.
Officials have instituted several preventive actions in response to the infections, including continued inspection of meal-preparation and service facilities, altered menu options for infected personnel and increased hygiene requirements with a focus on handwashing.
Meanwhile, normal training regimens are continuing as scheduled at the 5,500-recruit military training station.
Family members will be contacted if a recruit’s graduation date changes due to missed training resulting from sickness, officials say.
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