E. coli outbreak linked to romaine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are once again advising all U.S. consumers to not eat romaine lettuce as they conduct an ongoing investigation into an E. coli outbreak.

The CDC advised in a Nov. 20 release that further guidance would be issued as the investigation unfolds into a multi-state outbreak of E. coli.

The advice extends to all forms of romaine lettuce, including whole heads, pre-cut, romaine hearts and salad mixes containing romaine.

The CDC also advised all commercial establishments such as restaurants and retailers to cease sales of Romaine.

Symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. The CDC website advises that it may take two to three weeks from infection before a person shows symptoms.

The CDC advises anyone showing symptoms to write down what they ate in the week before becoming ill and talk to a healthcare provider, as well as reporting the illness to the local health department.

The CDC release states that the strain of E. coli involved in this outbreak is not the same strain linked to the outbreak this past spring.

The recent outbreak began with 32 individuals in 11 states contracting the strain of E. coli that spurred the CDC’s warning, according to the CDC release. The outbreak has resulted in 13 hospitalizations -- including one person suffering kidney failure — and no deaths.

The CDC advisement to avoid romaine lettuce stems from the investigation determining that 11 of 14 infected individuals who were interviewed said they had eaten romaine lettuce.

In addition, the Public Health Agency of Canada has identified 18 people in Ontario and Quebec infected with E. coli with the same DNA fingerprint.

The CDC, FDA and public health officials in Canada are continuing to investige the outbreak.