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Elliot Olsen’s experience representing people sickened by E. coli spans decades, and he has regained millions of dollars in compensation. If you or a family member became ill after eating tainted romaine lettuce, please call (612) 337-6126, or complete the following:
The first death has been reported in the nationwide E. coli outbreak caused by tainted romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the outbreak has grown to 121 victims in 25 states.
Twenty-three people from 10 states were added to the roll since the last update on April 27. The victim who died was a California resident.
In addition, the CDC reports that 52 people have been hospitalized, and 14 of those victims have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal type of kidney failure (see below).
Outbreak victims range in age from 1 year old to 88 years old, with a median age of 29. Sixty-three percent of those who have been sickened are female. The dates of illnesses reported range from March 13 to April 21.
Tainted romaine lettuce
no longer being produced
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has received confirmation from the Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture that romaine lettuce is no longer being produced and distributed from the Yuma growing region, reducing the potential for exposure to tainted romaine.
Because of the lettuce’s 21-day shelf life, however, the FDA said it cannot be certain that romaine lettuce from Yuma is no longer in the supply chain.
The FDA has been investigating the outbreak in conjunction with the CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and several state departments.
The first death has been reported in the nationwide E. coli outbreak caused by tainted romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region. The CDC reports that the outbreak has grown to 121 victims in 25 states.
Tainted romaine lettuce:
It’s STEC E. coli O157
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 – also called E. coli O157:H7, E. coli O157, STEC O157, or simply O157 – has been identified as the culprit in this outbreak. E. coli O157 is the most commonly identified STEC in North America.
When you hear or read news reports about E. coli outbreaks, those outbreaks are usually caused by E. coli O157.
Tainted romaine lettuce:
“Throw it away,” says CDC
The CDC is advising that anyone who has purchased romaine lettuce in any form should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, throw it away, the CDC said.
If you insist on purchasing romaine lettuce, you should confirm that it is not from the Yuma growing region. If you cannot confirm that fact, do not buy it or eat it.
Tainted romaine lettuce:
E. coli information
E. coli bacteria are one of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. on a yearly basis. E. coli are normally found in the intestines of mammals, and most strains are benign.
Anyone can become infected by E. coli, but people with the highest risk of becoming severely ill include the very young and the very old, and people with compromised immune systems.
E. coli symptoms
An E. coli illness produces symptoms that are similar to those of other foodborne pathogens, such as:
- diarrhea, which often can be bloody
- abdominal cramping, which can become very severe
- nausea and vomiting
- fever and fatigue
- loss of appetite
- decreased urination.
Symptoms can last up to 10 days, and most people recover without needing to see a doctor. Complications can arise, however, and produce dangerous consequences.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
As many as 10 percent of people infected with E. coli will develop HUS, which can become life-threatening. The overwhelming majority of HUS cases involve children under 5; the disease is the leading cause of acute kidney failure – or renal failure – for that age group.
HUS typically develops after diarrhea persists for longer than a week. The bacteria do severe damage to red blood cells, and that clogs the kidney’s filtering system. If kidney failure is the result, a kidney transplant is a distinct possibility.
HUS is fatal in 2 percent to 7 percent of cases – and fatalities usually involve children. HUS victims who survive can suffer long-term consequences, such as hypertension but more commonly impaired kidney function.
