UPDATE: Illnesses due to romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak rises to 84
Updated: 3:55 p.m. April 25, 2018
(CBS 58) -- Since the last update 31 more people have become sick with E. coli from romaine lettuce bringing the total to 84 people from 19 states. The hospitalization rate for this strain is just over 50 percent which is higher than the usual rate for E. coli. Healh officials are working to determine why this strain is causing a higher percentage of hospitalizations.
Three more states have reported illnesses including Colorado, Georgia and South Dakota. Wisconsin has not reported an illness.
No deaths have been reported.
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Posted: 4:41 p.m. April 20, 2018
(CBS 58) -- The CDC is expanding its advisory of romaine lettuce and E. coli. They have not been able to find a common grower, supplier, distributor or brand.
The CDC is telling anyone across the entire country is to not eat and throw away any romaine lettuce including whole heads, hearts of romaine, salads and salad mixes.
Authorities believe the tainted lettuce is coming from the Yuma, Arizona growing region, but say it is very difficult to determine where the lettuce is coming from.
CDC says to not buy new romaine lettuce at the grocery store and is telling restaurants to stop serving and selling it.
Symptoms of E. Coli including bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting. Most people start feeling sick about three to four days after eating the germ.
According to the CDC, there have been 53 confirmed cases across 16 states resulting in 31 hospitalizations. No cases have been recorded in Wisconsin but one case has been reported in Illinois.