A total of 16 people from five different states who were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella linked to ground beef products have been hospitalized as U.S. health authorities urge people to not eat raw meat.

So far no deaths have been reported. The outbreak which the Food Safety and Inspection Service linked to ground beef products from Gab Halal Foods, has spread from Michigan (9 cases) to Wisconsin (3), Arizona (1), Illionis (2) and Iowa (1).

"Seven of the ill persons reported eating a raw ground beef dish at the same restaurant before becoming ill. The restaurant served raw beef to customers sand had acquired the raw beef from to retailers," the CDC said in a statement on January 25.

On January 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety announced that Gab Halal Foods, a retail store in Troy, Michigan, was recalling approximately 550 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with a strain of Salmonella.

The products subject to the recall were various size bags of ground beef, wrapped in clear plastic and produced between Dec. 4 2012 and Dec. 10, 2012.

The meat was distributed to a restaurant in Macomb County, Michigan and sold directly to consumers at Gab Halal Foods.

Based on epidemiologic and traceback investigations, 7 case-patients with the same outbreak strain have been identified in Ariz. and Mich. with illness onset dates ranging from December 9, 2012, to December 13, 2012. The 7 case-patients consumed raw beef kibbeh on December 7, 2012, and December 8, 2012.

The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.