E.Coli Cases In Pennsylvania Keep Rising

State authorities are doubling down on health warnings about E.coli, urging residents to throw away all romaine lettuce unless it is positively confirmed that it was not grown in the Yuma, Arizona region after an outbreak of the disease that has now sickened 18 Pennsylvania residents.

Pennsylvania has been hit the hardest by the outbreak, recording the highest number of cases of any state in the nation. California has reported 13 cases, and New Jersey has reported seven. All seven cases in New Jersey were reported at the onset of the outbreak, however.

But in Pennsylvania, the numbers keep rising. Six more cases were confirmed by the CDC in the last week alone, and eight people have been hospitalized. State officials will not reveal the counties or location of the illnesses, saying that type of information is not released during investigations.

But one this is certain: if you don't know where your lettuce was grown, don't take the risk, state health officials warned in a statement Wednesday.

“This particular strain of E.coli can cause severe illness, including bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a type of kidney failure,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “If you have had symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and vomiting, we urge you to contact your physician.”

The CDC announced last week that all lettuce from the Yuma growing region is at risk of being contaminated, including whole heads, hearts, chopped, and salad mixes. "If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, do not eat it and throw it away," Pennsylvania health officials warned.

Residents with questions or concerns can call 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

RELATED:

• CDC Expands E.Coli Warning After 12 Sickened In Pennsylvania
• Source Of PA E.Coli Revealed As 7 More Cases Are Reported
• Pennsylvania Part Of Multi-State E.Coli Outbreak, CDC Says

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