The CDC on Wednesday increased its case count related to a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli to 24, marking a seven-case increase since the agency initially reported the outbreak Dec. 28.
The illnesses occurred across 15 states from Nov. 15 through Dec.12. The illnesses contributed to nine hospitalizations and one death in California. Across the states, four cases occurred in California; three in Maryland; two in Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania; and one each in the following states: Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Federal investigators are looking into a possible link between the U.S. outbreak and similar infections reported in Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada identified contaminated romaine lettuce as the source of the country's outbreak .
"The likely source of the outbreak in the United States appears to be leafy greens, but officials have not specifically identified a type of leafy greens eaten by people who became ill," said the CDC. "Leafy greens typically have a short shelf life, and since the last illness started a month ago, it is likely that contaminated leafy greens linked to this outbreak are no longer available for sale. Canada identified romaine lettuce as the source of illnesses there, but the source of the romaine lettuce or where it became contaminated is unknown."
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