E. coli outbreak linked to pre-packaged leafy greens in the Northeast appears to be over: CDC
Persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7, by state.
Image/CDC
The multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) that sickened at least 33 people in 5 states appears to be over, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update Dec. 10.
The number of ill people identified in each state with the outbreak strain was as follows: Connecticut (2), Massachusetts (3), New York (26), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
Nearly half of those infected required hospitalization for their illness. There were no deaths linked to this outbreak.
After a collaborative investigation by federal, state and local health officials, the outbreak was linked to pre-packaged leafy greens produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts; however, the source of the STEC contamination is still under investigation.
On November 2, 2012, Rochester, NY based Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. issued a recall of approximately 31,000 lbs. of Wegmans Organic Spinach and Spring Mix, a product produced by State Garden, sold its stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts between October 14 and November 1
Symptoms of the diseases caused by E.coli O157:H7 include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhea. The infection may lead to a life-threatening disease, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is characterized by acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. It is estimated that up to 10% of patients with E.coli infection may develop HUS, with a case-fatality rate ranging from 3% to 5%.
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