E. coli Outbreak Linked to Baby Spinach
The CDC published a Food Safety Alert linking a multistate outbreak of E. coli to baby spinach. At this time, the agency reports 10 confirmed cases across seven states. Two of the ten cases required hospitalization due to the severity of illness.
During the investigation, Minnesota officials detected E. coli in a package of Josie’s Organics baby spinach. The spinach came from the home of one of the people sickened in the E. coli outbreak. Investigators continue to investigate and to determine whether additional products may be contaminated. Further, state and local public health officials continue to interview sick people about the foods they ate before falling ill. The CDC states epidemiological and laboratory data implicates Josie’s Organics prepackaged baby spinach in the outbreak.
Indiana reports the most outbreak cases, with a total of three. Minnesota confirms two cases, while Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and South Dakota report one confirmed case each. Illnesses started between October 15 and October 27, 2021. However, because it usually takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak, more recent cases may not yet be included in current information.
Sick people range from 2 to 71 years old, with a median age of 26. In addition, males make up only 30% of confirmed cases in this outbreak. To date, two cases required hospitalization due to their severity.
About E. coli Infection
Symptoms of E. coli infection vary from person to person, but generally involve diarrhea (sometimes bloody), acute stomach cramping, and vomiting. Some infected individuals develop a fever (generally under 101 degrees Fahrenheit).
While symptoms generally begin three to four days after consuming contaminated food or water, some people fall ill as soon as one day or as late as 10 days after exposure. Symptoms generally resolve within five to seven days of onset.