The number of E. coli cases related to a Valley Mexican restaurant has increased to 74.
Jeanene Fowler with the Maricopa Department of Health confirmed that the number of cases related to an outbreak of "bloody diarrhea" linked to a Federico's Mexican Restaurant in Litchfield Park has affected 22 more people, bringing the total number of cases to 74.
Fowler said the increased number doesn't necessarily mean "new" cases are popping up, but that investigators are continuing to complete their interviews with those believed to be exposed to the bacteria.
The Maricopa Department of Health also said 23 people remain hospitalized.
Fowler also said all 74 cases involve individuals who ate at the Federico's Mexican Restaurant located at 13132 W. Camelback Road in Litchfield Park between July 18 and July 30th.
Fowler said it will take time to determine if more individuals are connected to the outbreak or not.
The specific cause of the E. coli outbreak remains under investigation.