The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local authorities are investigating on a multistate e.coli outbreak.
Just like the fall 2017 e.coli outbreak, this one is also associated with romaine lettuce.
Multistate E.coli Outbreak
In a statement, the FDA announced that it is investigating on a multistate outbreak that has already sickened 32 people in 11 states, and has resulted in 13 hospitalizations. Similarly, the Public Health Agency of Canada is also coordinating with United States authorities as they are also experiencing a similar outbreak.
Evidently, genetic analysis revealed that the e.coli O157:H7 strain that is responsible for the current outbreak is similar to the strain that affected both the United States and Canada in the fall of 2017, which was associated with leafy green vegetables in the United States and romaine lettuce in Canada. However, it is a different strain from the one that caused the Spring 2018 e.coli outbreak, which again was linked to romaine lettuce.
Traceback Investigation
As such, the FDA, in cooperation with other agencies, is conducting a traceback investigation to determine the source of the romaine lettuce consumed by those who fell ill. Further, the agency is also conducting laboratory analysis of romaine lettuce samples that could potentially be linked to the outbreak.
So far, the most recent onset of the illness associated with the outbreak was last Oct. 31, 2018.
Consumer Advice
Because of the ongoing outbreak, the CDC is recommending members of the public to refrain from consuming romaine lettuce, and for retailers and restaurants to not sell or serve them while investigations are still ongoing. Anyone who may still have romaine lettuce in their home, whether on its own or as a part of a salad mix, is advised to throw it away.
Further, anyone who develops symptoms of e.coli infection are advised to talk to a healthcare provider, to report the illness to the health department, and to record the foods consumed in the week prior to the onset of the illness.
