Multi State Outbreak of E.Coli 0157

(CDC) The E.coli outbreak was clearly linked to Taco Bell restaurants in the northeastern United States. As of 12 noon December 14, 2006, 71 people with illness associated with the Taco Bell restaurant outbreak have been reported to Centers for Disease Control from 5 states: New Jersey (33), New York (22), Pennsylvania (13), Delaware (2), and South Carolina (1). States with Taco Bell restaurants where persons confirmed to have the outbreak strain have eaten are New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The patient from South Carolina ate at a Taco Bell restaurant in Pennsylvania.

53 patients were hospitalized and 8 developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Illness onset dates have ranged from November 20 to December 6.

CDC is working with state and local health officials, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the restaurant chain to determine what food caused the outbreak. By comparing foods consumed by ill and well persons, investigators can show statistical links between illness and consumption of particular food ingredients. Public health investigators have identified a few ingredients that were consumed more often by ill persons than well persons and were statistically linked with illness: lettuce, cheddar cheese, and ground beef. Onions are not linked to this outbreak. The investigators have also gathered additional information about the locations of involved restaurants, the patterns of distribution of food ingredients, and the characteristics and preparation of food ingredients. Evaluation of all these data indicates that shredded lettuce consumed at Taco Bell restaurants in the northeastern United States was the most likely source of the outbreak. Contamination of lettuce likely occurred before reaching the restaurants.

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