PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon is among three new states that have reported E. coli illnesses linked to romaine lettuce, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Along with Oregon, Iowa and Nebraska are two other states that recently reported their first cases.
The illnesses are linked to romaine lettuce grown from the Yuma growing region in Arizona. The last shipments of romaine lettuce from this region were harvested on April 16, 2018. The harvest season is now over.
The CDC says it’s unlikely that any romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region is still available in stores or restaurants. The lettuce only has a 21-day shelf life.
On average, it takes about two to three weeks from the time someone falls ill with E. coli and when the person reports it to the CDC.
Therefore, the CDC says the most recent illnesses reported to them likely started when romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region was still available in restaurants, stores, and consumers’ homes.
As of May 16, 172 cases had been reported.
Researchers say romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region could have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7.
The CDC says anyone who shows symptoms of an E. coli infection should contact his or her doctor immediately.
For more information on the symptoms of E. coli and how to avoid it, visit the CDC website.
Klamath Alerts 5/17/18
