Four states in the Midwestern United States are experiencing an outbreak of E. coli bacteria from an unknown source.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that an outbreak of E. coli bacteria in four Midwestern states from an unknown source affected 47 other people, bringing the total number to 84.
The CDC said that of the 62 people it interviewed, 52 had eaten at Wendy’s in the week prior to the onset of their illness, and 38 had been hospitalized.
The centers added that the real number of patients is likely to be higher than the recorded, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states where cases have appeared, according to “Archyde.com”.
How did the bacteria begin to heal?
The new cases represent an increase from last Friday, when the US CDC began an investigation after 37 people were infected across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many of these cases ate sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s before they fell ill.
The CDC has not advised against eating at Wendy’s or asked people to avoid romaine lettuce as it is not yet certain the exact cause of the outbreak.
As a precaution, the company that owns the restaurant chain confirmed the replacement of lettuce in sandwiches in some affected areas.
What is Wendy’s response?
“We are fully cooperating with public health authorities in their ongoing investigations into the local E. coli outbreak,” the burger chain told Archyde.com in an email.
With the announcement of the first outbreak, Wendy’s said it was taking precautions to withdraw lettuce sandwiches from its restaurants in the area, knowing that in the four states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania) there are approximately 1,100 out of 5,940 chain restaurants in the United States.
How dangerous is Escherichia coli?
Although many strains of E. coli bacteria are found in the intestines of healthy people and animals and are harmless, certain types can cause severe intestinal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
A person may be exposed to E. coli through water or food contaminated with the bacteria, especially raw vegetables, undercooked ground meat, and pasteurized milk.
Healthy adults often recover from an E. coli infection within a week, but children and the elderly are at greater risk of developing life-threatening forms of kidney failure from infection.
What are the symptoms of bacterial infection?
If someone is exposed to E. coli in food they eat or drink, they may develop symptoms within two days to a few weeks after infection or exposure, the Mayo Clinic medical website reported.
Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, which can range from mild and watery to severe and bloody, stomach cramps, tenderness or soreness, and nausea and vomiting.
Avoid injury and treatment
There is no vaccine or drug that protects against any disease related to E. coli, although researchers are working to verify the effectiveness of some potential vaccines.
To reduce the chances of exposure to E. coli bacteria, you should avoid drinking lake or pond water, wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid unclean or contaminated foods.
Also, care must be taken to maintain general hygiene, wash hands before eating, and cook “burgers” well until fully cooked.