E. coli O157:H7, possibly in romaine lettuce, sickens 9 in Washington State

Seriously, I’m getting tired of using this picture. But I’m not running out of opportunities.

The Washington State Department of Health said today that  nine confirmed cases of E. coli infection found in Thurston and Pierce counties have been traced to romaine lettuce and a tenth case may be linked but was not tested.

Health Department spokesman Tim Church says five of the victims were hospitalized, but all have been released.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is tracing the source of the contaminated lettuce.

A table of known outbreaks of verotoxigenic E. coli — including but not limited to E. coli O157:H7 — associated with fresh spinach and lettuce is available at http://foodsafety.ksu.edu/en/article-details.php?a=3&c=32&sc=419&id=903.

UPDATE: The Department of Health says nine confirmed cases of E.coli infection found in north Thurston and south Pierce counties have been traced to bagged, commercial romaine lettuce.

Health officials say it’s not the same type of lettuce you would buy in a grocery store.

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time