Local Girl Sickened by E. coli

A 6-year-old girl from San Diego County is among 25 people who were sickened by an E. coli outbreak linked to cheese sold recently at Costco stores in five states, according to health officials.

Costco Wholesale Corp. and federal health officials are warning consumers that Bravo Farms Dutch Style Raw Milk Gouda Cheese was offered for sale and for in-store tasting between Oct. 5 and Nov. 1 at Costco stores in San Diego, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 25 cases of people sickened by E. coli O157:H7 in those states in the same time period, the Issaquah-Wash.-based company said.

Consumers should return any remaining Bravo Farms Gouda to Costco for a refund, Costco Assistant Vice President Craig Wilson said.

Costco has voluntarily removed the cheese from its stores and used purchase records to notify other consumers.