The romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak has expanded again and now includes 102 illnesses in 23 states. Fifty-eight people have been hospitalized, 10 of whom have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a form of kidney failure that is a complication of some E. coli infections.
Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last posted an outbreak update on November 26, the outbreak has grown to include 35 more cases in four more states. Wisconsin is the state hardest hit by the outbreak with almost a third of the total number of cases occurring there.
The number of cases reported from each state is: Arizona (3), California (4), Colorado (6), Florida (1), Idaho (3), Illinois (1), Iowa (1), Maryland (4), Michigan (1), Minnesota (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (7), New Mexico (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (12), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (8), South Dakota (1), Texas (4), Virginia (4), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (31).
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. The case-patients in this outbreak, who range in age is from less than 1 year to 89 years old, reported onset of symptoms from September 24, 2019 to November 18, 2019.
Outbreak investigators believe that the lettuce responsible for this outbreak was grown in Salinas, CA and are warning consumers not to eat romaine lettuce grown in that area. One recall has been issued so far. Missa Bay frecalled romaine salads containing meat and chicken after Ready Pac Bistro Bowl Caesar Chicken Salads sold at Sam’s Club stores were linked illnesses in Maryland and the outbreak strain was found in an unopened package of the product.
Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers have represented clients in every major E. coli outbreak in the last 20 years. The E. coli responsible for this outbreak is particularly virulent resulting in a hospitalization rate that is more than twice the average. Several of our clients from this outbreak were hospitalized including a teenager who developed HUS. If you would like to request a free consultation with our E. coli Team, call us at 1-888-377-8900, text us at 612-261-0856 or, fill out the form below.