In an outbreak that may be related to tainted lettuce used in sandwiches sold at Wendy’s restaurants, a total of 84 people in four states have now fallen ill with E. coli.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided an updated statement on Thursday, noting that 47 additional illnesses had been reported to the CDC since the previous update on August 19, 2022. 53 of those cases are in Michigan, 23 are in Ohio, 6 are in Indiana, and 2 are in Pennsylvania.
Severe illnesses have frequently resulted from gastrointestinal bacterial infections.
Despite the fact that “no deaths have been reported,” the CDC noted that “38 people have been hospitalised,” including 8 persons in Michigan who suffer from hemolytic uremic syndrome, a kind of kidney failure.
The actual cause of the outbreak has not yet been formally determined, however according to the CDC, 84% of cases included dining at Wendy’s before the illness started.
Romaine lettuce was supplied on burgers and sandwiches for 15 (88%) of the 17 consumers who provided specific information about their meals at Wendy’s, the FDA reported.
On August 19, Wendy’s declared that it has stopped using romaine lettuce in its sandwiches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.
According to the CDC, Wendy’s is removing the romaine lettuce used in sandwiches from its locations in that area as a precaution. “Investigators are seeking to determine whether the outbreak is linked to romaine lettuce and to determine whether romaine lettuce used in Wendy’s sandwiches was sold or served at other establishments.”
According to the CDC, most E. coli infections “start feeling sick 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking something that includes the bacteria.” But diseases can appear anywhere between one and ten days following exposure. Usually, illnesses endure 5 to 7 days.
Steps to Take:
- Severe E. coli symptoms include diarrhoea that lasts longer than three days, diarrhoea that is accompanied by a temperature of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, and a lack of urine.
- Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Keep a record of everything you consumed during the week prior to being ill and report it to your regional or national health agency.
Information about
Visit the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional information on the outbreak.
SOURCES: News release from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
