E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has spread to Minnesota, sickening 10 so far

May 09--Ten people in Minnesota have been sickened by the ongoing E. coli outbreak linked to eating romaine lettuce, according to the state's Department of Health.

Three of these cases required hospitalization, and two developed a potentially fatal condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the department. The outbreak, which is linked to romaine lettuce grown near Yuma, Ariz., has sickened more than 120 people in at least 25 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. One person has died.

The Minnesota victims -- nine females and one male -- became ill between April 20 and May 2, all of those interviewed by public health investigators reported being exposed to romaine lettuce, at a restaurant, grocery store or residential facility, the news release said. The cases are distributed throughout the metro and outstate counties.

"Do not eat, buy, or sell romaine lettuce unless you can confirm it is not from the Yuma growing region," said Kirk Smith, manager of the MDH's Foodborne, Waterborne, Vectorborne and Zoonotic Diseases section, in the news release.

Yuma-grown romaine lettuce should no longer be on sale, but consumers should check the origin of any romaine in their refrigerators.

Symptoms of E. coli infection typically include stomach cramps, diarrhea and a low-grade fever, the MDH said. Most people recover within five to 10 days, but infections sometimes lead to HUS, especially in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Minnesota typically sees about 135 cases of E. coli each year.

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