E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Romaine Lettuce Spreads; 98 Sick In 22 States
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The food poisoning outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has spread to three more states.
Health officials on Friday said they now have reports of 98 cases in 22 states, with the addition of Mississippi, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The outbreak is blamed on E. coli bacteria in romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, Arizona.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the bacteria strain behind the outbreak tends to cause more serious illnesses. Forty-six people have been hospitalized, including 10 with kidney failure. The most recent illness began a week ago. No deaths are reported.
"Bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps -- and their illness typically lasts about a week," said Dr. Laura Gieraltowski, of the CDC's food-borne outbreak response team. "This E. coli outbreak we're seeing a higher proportion of ill people being hospitalized."
Health officials say people shouldn't eat romaine lettuce unless they know it's not from Yuma. Every winter, the Yuma region provides most of the romaine sold in the U.S.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)