coli outbreak associated with Wendy’s restaurants has infected 97 people in 6 states

CNN
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Wendy’s restaurants have been linked to outbreaks of E. coli that have now been reported in six states, with 97 people infected, and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention He said in an update Thursday.

Of the 67 people with local public health officials with a detailed food history, 81% reported having eaten at Wendy’s in the week before their illness began, according to the CDC.

No deaths have been reported, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 43 people have been hospitalized and 10 have developed hemolytic uremic syndromeIt is a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.

“It is possible that the true number of patients in this outbreak is higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known diseases,” the update said. “In addition, some people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.”

So far, no specific food has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, according to the CDC. Late AugustHowever, Wendy’s has removed the romaine lettuce that was used in sandwiches at its restaurants in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to the CDC.

The CDC does not advise people to avoid Wendy’s, and the agency notes that there is no evidence that romaine lettuce sold in grocery stores or served at other restaurants is linked to the current outbreak.

Those with symptoms of E. coli, such as diarrhea, fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, severe vomiting, or signs of dehydration, should contact their health care provider immediately, according to the CDC. They are also urged to write down what they ate in the previous week and to report their illness Local or state health ministry.

every year, About 1 in 6 Americans develops a foodborne illness of at least 31 known pathogens and other unspecified agents, according to the CDC, and about 3,000 lost their lives.