2 N.B. cases of walnut E. coli

OneNew Brunswicker has been hospitalized and another has becomeill after eating raw walnuts contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

Health Canada has been warning people not to eat any shelled walnuts from bulk bins or certain brandsincludingAmira, Tia and Merit Selection.

There is concern that nuts sold in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic CanadasinceJanuary 1may be contaminated with the same strain of E. coli that killed seven people and made hundreds of others sick11 years ago in Walkerton, Ontario.

Of the 13 cases being investigated countrywide, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health said two arehere.

Dr. Eilish Cleary says one is from Fredericton and the other is from the Moncton area. One was hospitalized but has since recovered and been released.

Cleary said the two people are not connected, and the strain of E. coli they had is rare.

"This is a fairly new pattern of E. coli that is not commonly seen, so we determined that our two cases were linked with that outbreak," said Cleary.

In nine of the cases that Health Canada is investigating, the person infected was hospitalized and in two of the cases they developed an illness that can result in kidney failure.

Symptoms of E. coli infections include cramps, nausea, fever, and bloody diarrhea.

Pregnant women, young children and seniors are more at risk for serious illness.