County Reports Two Local Cases in Statewide Kebab Shop E.Coli Outbreak

Key Points:

• County health officials warn individuals who ate at The Kebab Shop between March 27 and April 30, 2026, and developed stomach illness to seek immediate medical care due to a statewide STEC outbreak.
• Two local cases of STEC infection have been reported after dining at The Kebab Shop, with one hospitalization; statewide, nine cases across five counties are linked to the chain's beef kofta dish.
• Among the nine cases, six patients are children, five have been hospitalized, and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney-related complication; no deaths or cases outside California have been reported.
• The California Department of Public Health is investigating the outbreak, and The Kebab Shop has ceased selling the beef kofta dish as of May 18, with officials stating the product no longer poses a risk.
• Health authorities emphasize that symptoms of STEC typically appear 3-4 days after exposure and include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting; vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at highest risk.