Kristi Funderburk of the Vineland Daily Journal reports that two Vineland, New Jersey, residents have been hospitalized, and both are being treated for E. coli food poisoning symptoms.

Vineland Health Department Director Dale Jones stated on Wednesday that one of the two illnesses has been confirmed as E. coli.

The Journal also reported that it is not clear how the Vineland patients may have contracted E. coli, nor if there are more local E. coli cases.

The New Jersey State Department of Health has been notified, and the local Vineland Health Department and Cumberland County Health Department will continue to investigate the illnesses.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and dehydration. The young, seniors, and the immuno-compromised are the most susceptible to complications arising from E. coli food poisoning.

To learn more about E. coli food poisoning, please see About E. coli and Symptoms of E. coli Food Poisoning . You may also wish to visit our additional website FoodPoisoning.com.