The CDC had information available for 129 people who were sickened. Of those people, 64 (50 percent) have been hospitalized, which includes 17 patients who developed severe kidney failure. One patient in California died.
However, the CDC noted a lag in reporting time, meaning officials may not be aware of people who have been sickened in the past two or three weeks. The most recent illness the agency reported began April 25.
“We still continue to go full-bore in trying to identify the source, not only the source of the contamination but also how the contamination actually happened,” Stephen Ostroff, MD, FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, told The Washington Post.
The CDC is warning consumers to avoid eating or buying romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Ariz., region, which grows most of the lettuce and other leafy greens consumed in the U.S. during winter months through early April.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
7 ‘probable’ hep C cases linked to Washington hospital; 12 more under investigation
Nurse charged for patient’s death at Pennsylvania senior facility
Healthgrades honors 458 hospitals for patient safety
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit