A possible salad E. coli outbreak may be unfolding in Wisconsin. During the last week, three women in the northwestern part of the state were all hospitalized with E. coli O157:H7 infections. Two of them who were interviewed by health officials say their diets include a lot of salad.
Leafy greens are a common source of E.coli outbreaks and researchers have found that the number of E. coli outbreaks linked to leafy greens has been increasing. A study of outbreaks that occurred between 1973 – 2012, found that E. coli was the leading cause of simple leafy vegetable outbreaks with a confirmed source, accounting for nearly two-thirds of multistate outbreaks, over 45 percent of hospitalizations, and nearly half of the deaths.
In the last 24 months, there have been four major E. coli outbreaks linked to leafy greens. Romaine lettuce was identified as the specific source in three of them. The most recent romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak, which took place between July and September of this year, sickened 23 people in 12 states, eleven of whom were hospitalized.
Infectious disease specialists in Wisconsin are working to determine what commonalities the illnesses may share and, if there is an outbreak, if other illnesses have been reported.
The E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Hageman represent clients who have been sickened by contaminated food. Our firm has represented clients in every major E. coli outbreak in the last 20 years and securing some of the largest verdicts and settlements in the nation. To request a free consultation with our team, call 1-888-377-8900, text us at 612-261-0856 or, fill out the form below.
