Outbreak alert: Avoid all kinds of romaine lettuce due to E. coli outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a warning regarding an E. Coli outbreak related to eating romaine Lettuce.

32 people have been affected across 11 states, with 13 being rushed to the hospital but, so far, no deaths have been reported.

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, people are advised not to consume any romaine lettuce, including organic and salad mixes containing the product.

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STATES IN DANGER

It has been reported that one of the people be hospitalized developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal form of kidney failure.

The states currently being affected by the outbreak are California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Consumers should stay clear of all brands and types of romaine lettuce.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is also investigating the outbreak and advised consumers to discard any romaine lettuce they might have at home, even if they have eaten some of it without getting sick.

Despite having several health agencies on the case, the source of the outbreak is yet to be discovered, but Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, is confident that the outbreak is exclusively linked to romaine lettuce.

POSSIBLE SOURCES

Gottlieb has also shared that most of the romaine lettuce is currently coming from the California region, with a small portion of it being harvested in Mexico.

Since no distributor or grower has been identified, consumers should stay clear of all brands and types of romaine lettuce, including products such as 'whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine and bags and boxes of pre-cut lettuce and salad mixes.'

ANOTHER OUTBREAK

This was the second outbreak since the beginning of November, when an outbreak of salmonella caused 164 people to become sick, with 63 landing in the hospital and one dying from the infection.

Most cases were related to a strain of salmonella present in live turkeys, as well as raw turkey products, but no supplier or food brand was identified as the source of the outbreak.