Re: NY: Wegman's Spinach recall due to E. Coli
According to the CDC, this outbreak may have expanded to as many as 5 states and possibly have sources that are in addition to the recalled Spinach & Spring Green Mix.
Multistate Outbreak of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend
November 17, 2012 1:30 PM ET
Case Count: 28
States: 5
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 10
Recall: Yes
Highlights
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Initial Announcement
November 17, 2012
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) infections. Preliminary results from this ongoing investigation indicate that Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts, is one likely source of this outbreak.
Public health investigators are using DNA ?fingerprints? of E. coli bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They are using data from
PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.
The type of bacteria responsible for this outbreak is among those referred to as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC. STEC bacteria are grouped by serogroups (e.g., O157 or O145). The STEC serogroup found most commonly in U.S. patients is E. coli O157.
A total of 28 ill persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7 have been reported from five states. The number of ill people identified in each state with the outbreak strain is as follows: Connecticut (2), Massachusetts (2), New York (22), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from October 18, 2012 to November 3, 2012. Ill persons range in age from 4 years to 66 years, with a median age of 24 years. Sixty-eight percent of ill persons are female. Among 24 ill persons with available information, 10 (42%) reported being hospitalized. Two ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
This PFGE pattern has very rarely been seen before in PulseNet. It has been seen only 7 times prior to this outbreak. Illnesses that occurred after October 30, 2012 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This outbreak can be visually described with a chart showing the number of persons who became ill each day. This chart is called an epi curve.
Please see the Timeline for Reporting of E. coli Cases for more details on the reporting process.
Investigation of the Outbreak
State public health officials are interviewing ill persons to obtain information regarding foods they might have eaten and other exposures in the week before illness. The outbreak was initially confined to New York, where preliminary information indicated that Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend was one likely source for illnesses, leading to a recall of this product on November 2, 2012. Since that time, more ill persons in other states have been reported, and the investigation has expanded.
Twenty-four (100%) of 24 ill persons reported eating pre-packaged leafy greens. In New York, 13 (81%) of 16 ill persons for whom we have information report eating Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend in the week before becoming ill. Outside of New York, all five (100%) of the ill persons interviewed in other states report eating several different brands of pre-packaged leafy greens that did not come from Wegmans. Investigations are ongoing to determine if other contaminated foods are also a source of illness in this outbreak.
Testing conducted by the New York Department Health Wadsworth Center Laboratories isolated the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7 from four leftover packages of Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend collected from four ill persons? homes.
CDC and state and local public health partners are continuing laboratory surveillance through PulseNet to identify additional ill persons and to interview ill persons about foods eaten before becoming ill. FDA is continuing to work closely with CDC and state partners during this investigation. CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.
