5 E. coli cases in Edmonton, Calgary

Alberta Health Services is investigating 5 cases of E. coli poisoning in the province, with four of the cases appearing in Edmonton and the other in Calgary.

AHS says it is investigating and the source of the outbreak is not yet known.

The cases come the same day that  the Canadian Food Inspection Agency expanded a health hazard warning about ground beef from a XL Foods, based in Brooks, Alta., because of possible E. coli contamination.

Officials say they haven’t found any link between the recalled meat and the people who got sick.

Food contaminated with E. coli may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Some people may have seizures, strokes or suffer kidney damage.

AHS says it has seen 20 cases of E. coli poisoning in the Edmonton area since the beginning of the year.