The number of E. coli illnesses tied to the outbreak that prompted Nebraska Beef Ltd.'s recall of 5.3 million pounds of beef has grown again.

The federal Centers for Disease Control said Friday that 49 illnesses have now been confirmed in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Utah.

Nebraska Beef sold the recalled meat to wholesalers and distributors for further processing. Some of the recalled beef was sold by Kroger Co. stores. The grocer has recalled ground beef products in more than 20 states.

Symptoms of E. coli infection include stomach cramps and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days.

The CDC estimates E. coli sickens about 73,000 people and kills 61 each year in the United States.