E. coli bacteria: 12 sick in new outbreak possibly linked to romaine lettuce, CDC says



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The strain of the outbreak has been reported in six states and was identified in a sample of Tanimaura & Antle romaine lettuce in a single-head package. No deaths have been reported.

“Tanimura & Antle has recalled its one-headed wrapped romaine lettuce after Michigan authorities identified E. coli 0157: H7 in romaine lettuce during routine sampling,” the CDC said in a statement.

It was shown, by whole genome sequencing, that the romaine sample was the same as the strain identified in sick people associated with the outbreak. But the information available is not enough to prove a link in the outbreak, according to the CDC.

“People typically get sick with Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) two to eight days (on average three to four days) after swallowing the germ,” according to the CDC.

Symptoms usually include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Fever can occur in some people, usually not very high (less than 101˚F / 38.5˚C). “Because of the time it takes from when a person becomes ill and when illness is reported, which averages two to four weeks, infections may not have been reported yet.

The CDC’s investigation is underway to determine if any infected people have become ill while eating a head-wrapped romaine lettuce from Tanimura & Antle. The agency says it will give updates when more information becomes available and advises consumers and retailers not to eat, sell or serve the recalled romaine lettuce at this time.

The CDC is currently investigating two additional unrelated outbreaks of E. coli infections – one that has sickened at least 23 people in 12 states and another that has caused 21 illnesses and one death in eight states. The CDC was unable to trace the sources of the other two outbreaks.

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