GERMANTOWN — Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County officials on Monday afternoon confirmed that an E. coli outbreak is to blame for more than 10 reported illnesses in Germantown.

Those who have been treated all ate carry-in food at a July 3 picnic.

Bill Wharton, spokesman for the health department, said 200 to 300 people attended an annual customer appreciation picnic at Neff’s Lawn Care, at 9400 Eckhart Road, and more than 10 of them have reported becoming ill since the event.

As many as six were hospitalized, Wharton said, but did not know their conditions on Monday.

He said he has not been made aware of any cases that were considered life-threatening.

Dr. Noel Watson, a family practitioner in Germantown said he has treated eight patients with symptoms consistent with E. coli infections and estimated that there could be as many as 50 area cases.

He said none of the cases he’s seen have been severe and patients have been treated with hydration, a shot in the doctor’s office or prescription medication.

The source of the infection is unknown, but Watson said those who have gotten sick probably all ate a dish contaminated with E. coli bacteria and may have been exacerbated by the food sitting out in the hot sun.

According to the Center for Disease Control, children and the elderly are more likely to develop symptoms from E. coli 0157 and most people develop symptoms within seven or eight days and recover within a week.

Symptoms often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.

The health department is working with Neff’s, area hospitals and the Ohio Department of Health to track the outbreak.

Neff’s management could not be reached for comment Monday.

Most infections are very mild, but in about five to 10 percent of cases life-threatening complications can develop that can lead to kidney failure, according to the CDC.

“The people we are concerned about are people that attended that picnic and then became ill,” Wharton said.

Anyone who becomes ill is urged to call the health department at (937) 225-4460.

Watson said diligent hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of E. coli bacteria, which is often found in human and animal fecal matter.