April 20, 2018: UPDATE: As of today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding its warning to cover ALL types of romaine from the Yuma, Ariz., growing region, including whole heads and hearts of romaine in addition to chopped romaine from that area. Also, the number of cases in Idaho has increased to 10. More details here.

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Public health officials in Idaho are investigating an outbreak of E. coli infections that are linked to a national outbreak affecting at least 10 other states.

Chopped romaine lettuce

At this time, eight Idaho residents have become sick with E. coli infections. All eight people who have become ill report eating romaine lettuce in the 10 days prior to becoming ill. Three individuals were hospitalized, and two have developed kidney failure linked to the E. coli infection. All hospitalized individuals were adults between the ages of 20 and 55. No deaths have been linked to this outbreak.

Initial investigations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and public health officials in affected states indicate that chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Ariz., growing region, could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and causing illness. No common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified yet. Continue reading →