At least 22 people in Trenton, N.J. and another 14 in Long Island have contracted the E. coli bacteria, all but six after consuming food from Taco Bell restaurants, according to U.S. health investigators.
Five of the New Jersey victims were in the hospital Monday, including two in serious or critical condition with hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can permanently damage the kidneys, officials said.
Of those infected, 20, including two restaurant employees who tested positive for E. coli but did not get sick, ate at a Taco Bell in South Plainfield. Another ate at a Taco Bell in Edison, and one ate at a Taco Bell in Franklin Township, authorities said.