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Jump In Sick Count, Hospitalizations From Romaine Lettuce E. Coli Outbreak

The number people sickened as well as those hospitalized as a result of an E. Coli outbreak linked to contaminated chopped romaine lettuce has grown, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Romaine lettuce

Romaine lettuce

Photo Credit: USDA

The outbreak that has now sickened 53 people in 16 states, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to the CDC. A total of 31 have been hospitalized.

Consumers anywhere in the United States who have store-bought chopped romaine lettuce at home, including salads and salad mixes containing chopped romaine lettuce, should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, do not eat it and throw it away, the CDC said.

Before purchasing romaine lettuce at a grocery store or eating it at a restaurant, consumers should confirm with the store or restaurant that it is not chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region. If you cannot confirm the source of the romaine lettuce, do not buy it or eat it.

Symptoms of E. Coli include diarrhea, vomiting and severe stomach cramps and usually start two days to a week after consuming the bacteria, with most becoming ill three or four days after consumption.

For more information, check the CDC advisory here.

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