The canal water is probably the source of E. coli in an outbreak related to the Roman

This NASA photo shows a canal that winds through the Arizona desert near Yuma, AZ. Such channels bring water to communities and farmers.

Federal authorities claim that water contaminated by canals near fields of romaine lettuce is the likely source of the particularly virulent strain of E. Coli that made five people sick. The outbreak is over, according to an update this afternoon from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency confirmed 210 people with infections. Twenty-seven of the victims developed kidney failure. The most recent victim became ill on June 6th.

"Samples were taken from environmental sources in the area, including water, soil and cow manure." The assessment of these samples is ongoing, "according to a report. Food and Drug Administration investigators day this afternoon

"To date, CDC analysis of samples taken from the canal water identified the presence of E. coli O157: H7 with the same genetic fingerprint as the epidemic strain.We have identified other strains of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli in water and soil samples, but at present, the samples taken from the canal water are the only ones matched to the epidemic strain. "

have stated in recent weeks that the Yuma region uses water from the Colorado River channel for water. irrigation and other agricultural uses. Some have theorized that a common water source is one of the most likely sources of E. coli bacteria.

"CDC laboratory tests identified the strain of E. coli O157: H7 in water samples taken from Yuma (AZ), according to the CDC update this afternoon. noon, which is the first since June 1.

"The US Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate the outbreak to learn more about how E. coli bacteria could enter

To see a larger version of this map, please click on the picture.

The FDA reported to the public for the last time on June 1 while tracing efforts were still hampered because of a tangle of handwritten, incomplete and inconsistent shipping and receiving documents. along the supply chain, from producers to retailers.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, the FDA and the CDC have declared that the romaine lettuce involved came from the Yum. a growing region. Individuals and groups in the fruit and vegetable industry told federal agencies that the last species in the region was harvested on April 16. The symptoms of infection are usually seen in less than a week after exposure to E. coli bacteria

. The outbreak began on March 13th. The age range of the victims is between 1 and 86 years old.

"In the interviews, sick people answered questions about the foods they ate and about other exposures before they became ill. Of the 166 respondents, 145 (87%) reported eating romaine lettuce during the week preceding the onset of their illness, "according to the CDC

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