E. coli outbreak: Do not eat romaine lettuce from Yuma, per health officials

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Officials with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) are advising people to not eat romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region, due to an E.coli outbreak.

According to a statement released Friday, the advisory includes whole head and hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped romaine, and salads and salad mixes contain romaine.

According to the CDC, the O157 E.coli outbreak involves 16 states, including Arizona, as of April 18. According to ADHS officials on Friday, there are five cases in Arizona, with four cases in Maricopa County, and one case in Pinal County.

"We recommend people throw out and do not consume whole heads and hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped romaine, and salads and salad mixes containing romaine at this time,” said ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ, in the statement.

CDC officials say no common grower, supplier, distributor or brand has been identified, in connection with the outbreak.

According to the Mayo Clinic, O157 E.coli symptoms include diarrhea, which could be bloody, as well as abdominal cramping or pain, and in some people, nausea. Young children and adults have a greater risk of developing a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is life-threatening.

ADHS and FDA are also advising people to confirm, before they eat romaine lettuce from a restaurant or a grocery store, that it is not from the Yuma growing region. In addition, CDC officials say restaurants and retailers should ask their suppliers about the source of their romaine lettuce.

CDC information on the E.coli outbreak
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html

CDC information on E.coli
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/index.html

Mayo Clinic information on E.coli
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/e-coli/symptoms-causes/syc-20372058