E. Coli Outbreak Tied To Spinach, Recall Issued In Illinois: CDC

ILLINOIS — A multistate E. coli outbreak is linked to a brand of organic baby spinach now being recalled nationwide. In Illinois, no illnesses were reported as of Tuesday, but three people were sickened in nearby Indiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Minnesota officials found a strain of E. coli bacteria in a leftover package of Josie's Organics baby spinach at a sick person's house. As of Monday, 10 people across seven states had been infected with the bacteria's O157:H7 strain, the CDC said.

Of the people infected, two have been hospitalized, but none have died, officials said. The illnesses — found in people between the ages of 2 and 71 — were reported between Oct. 15 and Oct. 27, according to the CDC's investigation.

Officials said recent illnesses may not yet have been reported, since it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if an illness can be linked to the outbreak.

States affected by the spinach-linked outbreak are Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. Indiana is the state with the highest number of people sickened, followed by Minnesota with two.

Five people reported eating spinach in the week before they became ill, and one of them reported eating Josie's Organics brand. Officials said investigators are working to determine if additional products may be contaminated.

The contaminated spinach, sold in stores nationwide in plastic clamshell packaging, had a "best by" date of Oct. 23. Officials at the CDC recommend people throw the possibly contaminated spinach away or return it to where it was bought.

Many people infected with E. coli bacteria tend to experience stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are experiencing the following severe E. coli symptoms should also call their healthcare provider, the CDC recommended:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102° F
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Not urinating much
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up