US: Fatal multistate E. coli outbreak ongoing /update 1

Event

On Wednesday, May 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed one fatal case of E. coli in a multistate outbreak that has affected 25 US states. The CDC has also reported at least 121 confirmed cases between March 1 and May 1. CDC officials are warning people to avoid buying or eating romaine lettuce at grocery stores and restaurants unless they can confirm it is not from the Yuma (Arizona) growing region.

Context

Individuals usually develop symptoms of E. coli two to eight days after consuming the contaminated food. Symptoms include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, and vomiting. Most people recover within one week of contracting E. coli but some cases can become severe or life-threatening.

Advice

Individuals in the US are advised to follow the advice issued by CDC and to consult their website for more information.