The Brazos County Health Department and the Texas Department of State Health Services are investigating five cases of a possibly lethal strain of E. coli found in Brazos County residents.

The health department confirms that two children, both of whom are related, are in the hospital. Sources tell us that they are in fair condition at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

Three local adults have also been confirmed to have E. coli. All cases have been confirmed within the last week by the health department, the most recent coming Monday.

Three additional local cases are also under investigation, but have yet to be confirmed.

All five confirmed cases, according to the health department, have the O157:H7 strain. The health department says it can cause kidney failure and possibly death.

Several Local E. coli Cases Investigated; Children Hospitalized – KBTX