A few days ago I happened to have some national news broadcast on the TV and was surprised to hear a representative from Consumer Reports advising all to avoid consuming romaine lettuce due to a risk for E. coli O157 contamination, which as you know can result in hemolytic-uremic syndrome. As of January 10, 24 people in the US have been reported with E. coli O157:H7 infections with onset from November 15 through December 12. CDC has information on 18 individuals so far, with 9 hospitalizations (including 1 death), and 2 cases of HUS. Cases have been reported from 15 states, all across the country, but unclear yet whether they are all related. Three cases have been reported in Maryland.
I was surprised by the Consumer Reports advice because I've been following this outbreak in Canada and the US for a number of weeks, both from CDC updates that I receive regularly, as well as my subscription to 1 of those nerdy ID listservs. Yesterday the CDC posted an update that I think is the best summary of circumstances to date and stating that we should not "...avoid any particular food given the short shelf life of leafy greens and because a specific type of leafy greens has not been identified." The short shelf life is in reference to the fact that the last reported case in the outbreak had onset December 12, and if it was related to romaine lettuce or other leafy greens they are probably long gone from the grocery shelves. Confounding all this are delays in reporting, probably aggravated by the holiday season. In the meantime, Canadian public health authorities declared their outbreak, which they were able to link to contaminated romaine lettuce, ended as of January 10.
Consumer Reports also posted an update yesterday, perhaps in response to the CDC, reaffirming their advice for everyone to avoid consuming romaine lettuce. They also noted criticism of CDC and FDA by some members of Congress.
I subscribe to Consumer Reports magazine, but it may not shock you to know that I'm sticking with CDC advice and have continued to consume romaine lettuce. I always wash it well, but of course that can't remove all traces of E. coli.
Yesterday the CDC sent out an update on this outbreak, stating it "appears to be over." The last case reported had onset on December 12, and since greens have a short shelf life it's unlikely any contaminated produce remains in circulation. Overall, 25 people from 15 states developed infection, including 3 from Maryland.
The investigations by CDC and FDA showed a link to ingestion of leafy greens, but not specifically to romaine lettuce as had been determined in the Canadian outbreak occurring a little earlier and possibly the same organism. It's not unusual that a specific source wouldn't be determined for an outbreak, especially if it is of short duration and involves few patients as in this instance.
Bud