E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Takes Its First Life
The first fatality from the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce occurred in California, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
According to the CDC, 23 more cases were reported since Friday, bringing the total to 121 illnesses across 25 states, with 52 hospitalizations that include 14 cases of kidney failure.
There is no further information reported by the CDC on the death in Califonia as the California Department of Public Health said it cannot provide any more details due to patient privacy laws.
On average, symptoms of E. coli begin three to four days after consuming the bacteria, and the symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. While most people recover in five to seven days, some individual may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure which can be life-threatening.
The CDC continues to warn against purchasing or consuming romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region, where the outbreak is suspected to have originated. This includes whole heads and hearts of romaine, chopped romaine, baby romaine, organic romaine, and salad mixes that include romaine lettuce.
