New York Part Of Multi-State E.Coli Outbreak, CDC Says

The source of a multi-state E.coli outbreak that has sickened 35 people, including two in New York, has been revealed by federal health officials. The outbreak, which has impacted 11 states, was caused by chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region, the CDC said Friday.

A specific distributor or brand of lettuce has not yet been identified, however the CDC is recommending consumers across the United States to throw away all of their store-bought romaine lettuce, even if they already ate some of it and didn't get sick.

Consumers should also confirm with their grocery stores or restaurants that the available chopped romaine lettuce is not from the Yuca growing region. Do not buy or eat the lettuce if you can't confirm its source, the CDC says.

The CDC investigation revealed most people who fell ill reported eating a salad at a restaurant, and romaine lettuce was the only common ingredient identified among the salads eaten. The restaurants in question said they used bagged, chopped romaine lettuce to make the salads.

Federal health officials announced the investigation into the outbreak earlier this week.

No one has died as a result of the illness, but 22 people have been hospitalized.

Illnesses started between March 22 and March 31, the CDC said. People between the age of 12 to 84 years have fallen ill from the bacteria.

The following 11 states are included in the outbreak:

• Pennsylvania (9 cases)
• Idaho (8 cases)
• New Jersey (7 cases)
• Connecticut (2 cases)
• New York (2 cases)
• Ohio (2 cases)
• Illinois (1 case)
• Michigan (1 case)
• Missouri (1 case)
• Virginia (1 case)
• Washington (1 case)

People usually get sick from E.coli between two and eight days after swallowing the germ. Symptoms include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting. Most people recover within one week, according to federal health officials.

Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe, resulting in a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, the CDC warned. "HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in young children under 5 years, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems."

Three people who were sickened in this outbreak have developed HUS, the CDC said.

Symptoms of HUS can include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue and irritability, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, and decreased urination. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

The CDC advises that anyone who has symptoms of E.coli should write down what they ate in the week before they became sick. The illness should be reported to the local health department.

The CDC offers these tips to avoid exposure to the bacteria:

• Wash your hands. Wash hands after using the restroom or changing diapers, before and after preparing or eating food, and after contact with animals.
• Cook meats thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Cook steaks and roasts to at least 145˚F and let rest for 3 minutes after you remove meat from the grill or stove. Cook ground beef and pork to at least 160˚F. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the meat.
• Don't cross-contaminate food preparation areas. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, unless the package says the contents have been washed.
• Avoid raw milk, other unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices.
• Don't prepare food or drink for others when you are sick.

Image via Shutterstock

Kara Seymour contributed to this report