Virginia E.Coli Outbreak Tied To Romaine Lettuce, CDC Says

One case of E.coli contamination has been confirmed in Virginia, which is part of an expanding multi-state outbreak of the infection being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control. A total of 35 cases in 11 states are being looked into as health authorities say the likely source of the serious illness is romaine lettuce grown in Arizona. Just two days ago, the CDC said there were only 17 cases in seven states linked to the outbreak.

A specific grower, grocery store, restaurant chain, supplier, distributor or brand has not been identified as the source of infections, the CDC said. Sources at the federal, state and local level declined to provide details to Patch about the locations of the infections.

But investigators have determined chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and making people sick.

The illnesses began in late March, between the 22nd and 31st of the month, according to the CDC. It is possible there are more illnesses; cases that began after March 27 may have not yet been reported or confirmed, federal health officials say.

The CDC said residents do not need to avoid any specific types of food or restaurants. "We will update our advice if a source is identified," the CDC notes on its website.

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Other states that are part of the outbreak include New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Washington, Idaho, Missouri, and Ohio. The highest number of cases have been reported in Pennsylvania, where nine infections have been confirmed by the CDC, followed by Idaho with eight cases and New Jersey with seven infections.

Local health officials in New Jersey have indicated the cause of the illness could have stemmed from a chain restaurant, specifically Panera. Federal officials are not confirming such details. (RELATED: Panera Bread Possible Culprit In E. Coli Cases In 4 NJ Counties)

The CDC said 26 (93%) of 28 people interviewed reported eating romaine lettuce in the week before their illness started. Most people said they ate a salad at a restaurant, and romaine lettuce was the only common ingredient identified among the salads eaten. The restaurants reported using bagged, chopped romaine lettuce to make salads. At this time, none of the patients said they ate whole heads or hearts of romaine.

People usually get sick from E.coli between two and eight days after swallowing the germ. Symptoms include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting. Most people recover within one week, according to federal health officials.

Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe, resulting in a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, the CDC warns. "HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in young children under 5 years, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems."

Symptoms of HUS can include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue and irritability, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, and decreased urination.People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

The CDC advises that anyone who has symptoms of E.coli should write down what they ate in the week before they became sick. The illness should be reported to the local health department.

The CDC offers these tips to avoid exposure to the bacteria:

• Wash your hands. Wash hands after using the restroom or changing diapers, before and after preparing or eating food, and after contact with animals.
• Cook meats thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Cook steaks and roasts to at least 145˚F and let rest for 3 minutes after you remove meat from the grill or stove. Cook ground beef and pork to at least 160˚F. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the meat.
• Don't cross-contaminate food preparation areas. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, unless the package says the contents have been washed.
• Avoid raw milk, other unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices.
• Don't prepare food or drink for others when you are sick.

Patch Editor Kara Seymour contributed to this story

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