FDA officials have potentially traced the E. coli outbreak in romaine lettuce to farms in California, according to Fox 6.
Officials have genetically linked the outbreak to the same E. coli strain that affected lettuce in 2017. Though, health officials from the FDA and CDC have potentially identified the strain, they are not sure how much lettuce has been contaminated.
Reports of the illnesses began in October. So far, 32 E. coli infections have been reported. Thirteen people have been hospitalized. Only one of the hospitalized patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening disease affecting the kidneys. No deaths have been reported.
The FDA cautions against the purchase of any romaine lettuce and advises people to throw out any romaine lettuce at home.
Illnesses have been reported in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.
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