Coli Outbreak From Salad Grows As CDC Reports 24 People Infected
- by Kristen Harrington
- in Health Care
- — Jan 12, 2018
The Public Health Agency of Canada identified romaine lettuce as the source of the outbreak in Canada. Consumer Reports, however, is still saying to avoid romaine lettuce.
In the United States, a total of 24 STEC O157:H7 infections have been reported from California (4), CT (2), IL (1), IN (2), Maryland (3), MI (1), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (1), NY (1), OH (1), Pennsylvania (2), Vermont (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Forty-six percent reported eating romaine lettuce the week before they were interviewed. Attorney Fred Pritzker and his team recently won $7.5 million for young client whose kidneys failed after he developed hemolytic uremic syndrome because of an E. coli infection.
A pair of fatal E. coli outbreaks linked to leafy greens in the United States and Canada appear to be over, health experts said on Wednesday.
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), a microbiologist, affirmed DeLauro's sentiments in a statement to Consumer Reports: "The delay in CDC or FDA providing updated information to consumers is very disappointing.Timely information is critical to avoid potentially contaminated foods and I call on FDA to take all necessary steps to protect public health". Individuals became sick in November and early December 2017. PHAC is also advising Canadian consumers that they no longer need to consider not consuming Romaine lettuce.
On the same day, CDC announced the E. coli strains appeared related but would not identify a source of the infections.
US officials are continuing their investigation. The five hospitalized are in the United States with the one death in the USA and one in Canada.
The outbreak, which began in November previous year, has been linked to 24 cases of people infected with E. coli and one death in California. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement there was "likely" no longer a concern.
The outbreak is responsible for 66 infections and two deaths in the two countries.
Although the most recent illness started on December 12, there is a delay between when someone gets sick and when the illness is reported to CDC.
Pressure had been mounting on the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide more information to the public about this outbreak. Holidays can increase this delay. The symptoms typically start one to three days after eating a contaminated food, but may occur as late as 10 days afterward. It's also important to avoid preparing food when you are sick, particularly if you are sick with diarrhea.
