Breaking News 11/20/18: CDC Is Advising That U.S. Consumers Not Eat Any Romaine Lettuce
11/20/18 – CDC Posted Romaine Lettuce Food Safety Alert
The CDC has advised U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce due to E.Coli contamination.
It has also advised retailers and restaurants not to sell or serve any romaine lettuce. The CDC has issued the advisory until it learns more about the outbreak.
The current outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses started on dates ranging from October 8, 2018 to October 31, 2018.
The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 infected 32 people from 11 states in the U.S. The bacteria caused the hospitalization of 32 people, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. The CDC reported no deaths.
The same E. coli strain hospitalized 18 people in Canada. The CDC has recommended everyone avoid eating any romaine lettuce because it hasn’t been able to identify any common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand of romaine lettuce.
The CDC said the current E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is not related to the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce earlier this year.
Symptoms of E. coli Infection
Sickness from E. coli appear on average of 3-4 days after consuming the bacteria. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes low fever.
Most cases are very mild, and most people recover within 5-7 days. Fewer people have more severe reactions according to the CDC’s E. coli’s symptoms article.
It is a good thing such a small percentage of people who have eaten romaine lettuce have gotten sick.
The CDC recommends you go to the doctor if the symptoms don’t get better within a few days.
