Multistate Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak Continues to Spread
As of May 16, the multistate Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to contaminated romaine lettuce has spread to 32 states, sickening 172 people, according to the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update. Seventy-five people have been hospitalized and one person in California has died.
CDC says that it takes 2 to 3 weeks between when a person becomes ill with E. coli and when the illness is reported to CDC. The most recent illnesses reported to CDC started when romaine lettuce from the Yuma, AZ, growing region was likely still available in stores, restaurants, and in peoples’ homes.