The E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, AZ has expanded to include two more states – Arizona and Montana. Last week, federal health officials reported that they had identified 35 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection that were part of an 11-state outbreak. With the cases since reported by health officials in Arizona and Montana, there are now at least 13 states and more than 40 people included in the outbreak.
Public health investigators are using a DNA fingerprinting technique on samples of E.coli taken from those sickened to identify which cases are part of this outbreak which began March 22. The 35 cases in 11 states identified last week were in: Connecticut (2), Idaho (8), Illinois (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7), New York (2), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (9), Virginia (1) and Washington (1). Twenty-two people have been hospitalized, three of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a form of kidney failure associated with E. coli infections.
In Arizona, three cases have now been linked to the outbreak. In Montana, three cases have been confirmed and five suspected cases are pending confirmation.
E. coli Cases Reported in Montana
The eight Montana cases were all reported from counties in the western part of the state with onset-of-illness dates ranging from March 28 to April 7. The case-patients range in age from 31 to 85 years old, All three of the confirmed case-patients were hospitalized. Two of them were from Missoula County, the third confirmed case was in Ravalli County. There are three pending cases in Flathead County and one each in Lincoln County and Gallatin County.
Romaine Lettuce Lawsuit, Recalls and CDC Advice to Consumers
Information collected by investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that the contaminated romaine lettuce linked to the outbreak came from growing areas in Yuma, AZ a region that produces much of the country’s romaine lettuce from November to March each year.
Several product recalls have been issued.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises consumers to throw away romaine lettuce products originating from Yuma, AZ and not to purchase products containing romaine form that area from stores or restaurants.
The CDC reports that most of the confirmed case-patients in this outbreak ate the contaminated lettuce in salads they purchased at restaurants. One person who ate at a Panera restaurant in New Jersey has filed a lawsuit. The E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Hageman have a successful track record representing clients who have been sickened by contaminated food including settlements for HUS cases of $7.5 million and $4.5 million. If you or a loved one have been sickened by E.coli, contact them for a free, no-obligation consultation.
This post was updated April 20 to reflect the CDC’s expanded advisory about romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, AZ.