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11.05.2018 - Foods

EHEC bacteria in American romaine lettuce

After consuming Romaine lettuce contaminated with E. coli bacteria, about 100 people in the USA have fallen ill. Affected are 98 people in 22 states, according to the US health authorities. 46 affected individuals were hospitalized, ten of whom suffered kidney failure. It is the most severe outbreak of EHEC pathogens in the USA in twelve years.

The contaminated Romaine lettuce comes from at least one farm in Yuma, Arizona. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have urged the public not to buy or eat Romaine lettuce from Yuma or unknown sources. The famous Caesar salad is made with the crispy leaves of Romaine lettuce.

In our laboratory, we routinely conduct this investigation. We provide you with fast and reliable results.

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More information about E. coli can be found here.

What is E. coli?
Escherichia coli are rod-shaped bacteria found in the intestinal flora of humans and animals. However, some strains of E. coli have the ability to produce toxins. These are called Vero or Shiga toxins.

Infections with VTEC are among the most dangerous foodborne bacterial diseases in industrialized countries. Young children, in particular, but also adults, can become seriously ill after an infection. In the worst-case scenario, the infection can be fatal.

Source: https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000078907090/usa-kolibakterien-im-romana-salat