More deaths, illnesses linked to E.coli outbreak from Arizona-grown lettuce
Jun 1, 2018, 5:01 PM | Updated: Jun 21, 2018, 2:26 pm
(Steve Campbell/Houston Chronicle via AP)
(Steve Campbell/Houston Chronicle via AP)
PHOENIX — The death toll linked to a national food poisoning outbreak blamed on tainted lettuce that was grown in Arizona is on the rise.
Four more people have died from the E. coli outbreak, which was linked to romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, Arizona. The total number of deaths from the outbreak has reached five.
The deaths have been reported in California, Arkansas, Minnesota and New York.
Health officials said 25 more cases have been added, raising the total number of illnesses to 197 in 35 states. At least 89 people were hospitalized.
It has been the nation’s largest E. coli outbreak in a decade.
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The first illnesses occurred in March, and the most recent began on May 12, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The growing season in Yuma ended six weeks ago, and it’s unlikely any tainted lettuce is still in stores or people’s homes, given its short shelf life.
But there can be a lag in reporting, and reports of illnesses have continued to come in.
Many of the new cases were people who became ill two to three weeks ago, when contaminated lettuce was still being sold.
Some said they did not eat romaine lettuce but were in close contact with someone who got sick after eating it.
Most E. coli bacteria are not harmful, but some produce toxins that can cause severe illness.
People who get sick from toxin-producing E. coli come down with symptoms about three to four days after swallowing the germ, with many suffering bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
