Lettuce grown in Arizona could be the source of E. coli outbreak

PHOENIX — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people that a potential E. coli outbreak may have begun with contaminated lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region.

An article published by the CDC does not identify a grower, supplier, distributor or brand that the outbreak stems from.

It does mention that 35 people have been infected, across 11 states, including three people who have developed a type of kidney failure. CDC is still investigating the multi-state outbreak of the infections.

Chopped romaine lettuce is the suspected cause of the outbreak. Out of the 28 people interviewed with the infection, 26 of them have reported consuming romaine lettuce the week before their outbreak began.

It is advised if you have store bought romaine lettuce to throw it away, even if you have already eaten some and not gotten sick. The article says that if you can trace the origin of the romaine lettuce from grower to store, make sure that the lettuce is not from Yuma.

No deaths have been reported from the outbreak.

There has not been a recall of any product as a result of the outbreak, which has led to 22 hospitalizations among the 35 reported cases.

A Fry’s location in the Valley removed chopped and bagged romaine lettuce from shelves “until supplies can be sourced from other growing regions,” according to a sign at the store.

Most E. coli strains are harmless but the strain 0157:H7, which was found in the 35 cases, is known to cause severe diarrhea and kidney damage.

Follow @KTAR923