EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Fourteen Michigan State University students have been admitted to hospitals over the past week with what officials said are likely cases of E. coli infection.

On Tuesday, seven students remained hospitalized. "This is one that we're particularly concerned about, this bug this pathogen E. coli O157H7," said Dr. Dean Sienko of the Ingham County Health Department.

County health officials said this strain can shut down kidneys, and be fatal for children or elderly. In 1993, it killed several children in the pacific northwest. MSU students interviewed Monday said they're concerned, but have few options for food.

"Yeah, I eat there (at the dorm) because I live in the dorm," said one student.

Student Ashley Schurig said, "I heard about that. My friend was one of the ones that got sick."

Health officials said they believe the outbreak started in one of the dorms, so they are using student ID cards to try and trace the source. Students must swipe their card to eat and officials are reviewing the transactions from at least 10 students to find out where and what they ate between Tuesday and Friday of last week.

According to Sienko, the investigation is making progress. "We, the public health community and the CDC, have reported produce and other food items that have been contaminated with E. coli 0157H7 because it's been sprinkled with water that has raw sewage in it."

Sienko said environmental health officials are working with MSU to throw away and get rid of potentially contaminated food.

The investigation has students like Timothy City wondering about earlier illnesses. "I've been sick, I hope it's not from that," said City. " The university needs to do something about that, that's a serious issue. If students are eating food on campus it's because we can't afford food off campus."

Sienko said this strain of E. coli is rare and usually causes bloody diarrhea, a symptom found in all of the ill MSU students.

Other symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Most people recover within days.