CDC Investigation Notice: CDC investigating outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections

Media Statement

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

A CDC investigation notice of a multistate outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-11-19/index.html

Key points:

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infections. The source of the outbreak has not yet been determined.
17 people infected with the outbreak strain have been reported from eight states (AZ, CA, CO, ID, MD, MT, WA, WI).
Seven hospitalizations have been reported, including two people who have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
The Maryland Department of Healthexternal icon identified E. coli O157 in an unopened package of Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salad collected from a sick person’s home in Maryland. Laboratory testing is ongoing to determine if the E. coli found in the salad is genetically similar to the E. coli found in sick people in this outbreak.
Ill people in Maryland have reported eating Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salad.
Ill people in other states have not initially reported eating this particular salad. State partners are conducting interviews with sick people to find out what they ate.
This investigation is ongoing, and CDC will provide updates when more information becomes available.

Advice to consumers, retailers, and restaurants:

Do not eat or sell Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salads with a “Best By” date of October 31, 2019.
If you have this salad at home, do not eat it and throw it away.
Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection.

About Shiga toxin-producing E. coli:

People get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli an average of 3 to 4 days after swallowing the germ. Most people get diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps, and vomiting.
Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and be more severe.
Antibiotics are not recommended for patients with suspected E. coli infections until diagnostic testing can be performed and E. coli infection is ruled out.
More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-11-19/index.html.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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