A Detroit produce distributor has been linked to the strain of E. coli bacteria that infected three University students and at least 30 people statewide.

According to Robert Ernst, the University Health Service Medical Director, iceberg lettuce circulated by Aunt Mid’s Produce Company is the suspected source of the cases. It was previously thought that the instances across the state weren't connected, though the strains of the bacteria were similar.

Of the three affected University students, two have recovered and one remained hospitalized as of last week, Ernst said Tuesday.

More than two dozen students at Michigan State University and another five individuals at the Lenawee County Jail also became ill from the strain. Some cases in Northern Michigan have been identified as well, though the majority of the confirmed cases have been reported in the Lower Peninsula.

University of Michigan dining halls and other dining facilities on campus don't use Aunt Mid’s produce. Ernst said it wasn't necessary to avoid lettuce altogether, but recommended minimizing further exposure by thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cooking meat.

Terry Denbow, Michigan State University’s vice president for media relations, declined comment, referring to a statement released by the school earlier this week. According to the statement, the school's dining halls pulled turkey products from their menus and discarded all iceberg lettuce because of the E. coli outbreak. The decision to toss the food was made without officials knowing whether the items were contaminated, the statement said.

The Michigan Department of Community Health is further investigating the cases and piecing them together to track the route of the bacteria. Local and state health agencies are working to keep the outbreak as contained as possible.

Ernst said he considers the identification of a source a positive step to controlling the outbreak.

“It’s certainly very encouraging that there’s been this link to this one distribution site,” he said. “Now they can affect some changes at that end.”