Health officials announced on Friday that five people have now died after consuming tainted lettuce from Arizona, making this the nation’s largest E. coli outbreak in a decade.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 25 new cases, across 13 states, related to the E. coli outbreak, which affected romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region.
Health officials said there are now 197 cases across 35 states.
The five dead were reportedly from Arkansas, New York, California and, with two cases, Minnesota.
Officials said that first illness began sometime between March 13 and May 12. There have been 89 people hospitalized, and 26 who developed a type of kidney failure due to the infection.
While more cases have been reported, the CDC said that the harvest season in Yuma ended six weeks ago, and it is unlikely that any of the affected romaine lettuce “is still available in people’s homes, stores, or restaurants due to its 21-day shelf life.”
When a person becomes infected with the bacteria, it can take two to three weeks before a report to the CDC.
Officials also noted that some of the individuals who became ill never actually consumed the contaminated lettuce but were in close contact with someone else who had done so.
Most E. coli bacteria are not harmful, but some produce toxins that can cause severe illness.
Most E. coli bacteria are not harmful, but some produce toxins that can cause severe illness.
People who get sick from toxin-producing E. coli come down with symptoms about three to four days after consumption, with many suffering bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
The Associated Press contributed to this Fox News report, which is used by permission.
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