E. coli Outbreak Investigation Leads to Precautionary Action by Wendy's Restaurants

CDC is investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in four states, with 37 people infected and 10 hospitalized.  Wendy's restaurants have been associated with this outbreak and the company has taken actions to remove the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in this region.  Cases include Ohio (19 cases), Michigan (15) Pennsylvania (2) and Indiana (1).

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/20/health/wendys-e-coli-outbreak/index.html
Wendy's restaurants associated with E. coli outbreak that sickened 37 people in four states, CDC says
By John Bonifield, CNN
Updated 9:23 AM ET, Sat August 20, 2022

(CNN)Wendy's restaurants have been associated with an E. coli outbreak reported in four states, with 37 people infected and 10 hospitalized, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

No deaths have been reported.

A specific food has not been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, according to the CDC, but 22 of 26 sick people reported eating sandwiches at Wendy's restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before getting sick.

As a precaution, Wendy's is removing the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in that region, since most sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce, according to the agency.

The CDC said it is not advising that people avoid eating at Wendy's restaurants or that people stop eating romaine lettuce.

The agency is investigating to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of the outbreak, and whether the lettuce used at the Wendy's stores was served or sold at other businesses.

Nineteen infections have been reported in Ohio, 15 in Michigan and two in Pennsylvania. An additional case has been reported in Indiana. Three of the cases in Michigan involve people who have a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, the CDC said.

Those who have E. coli symptoms are urged to call their health-care provider immediately, write down what they have eaten in the week prior and report the illness to their local or state health department.

E. coli Outbreak with Unknown Food Source | CDC
E. coli Outbreak with Unknown Food Source
Posted August 19, 2022
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 37
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 0
States: 4
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active

Update on Source
A specific food has not yet been confirmed as the source of this outbreak, but many sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before getting sick. Based on this information, Wendy’s is taking the precautionary measure of removing the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in that region. Wendy’s uses a different type of romaine lettuce for salads. Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether romaine lettuce used in Wendy’s sandwiches was served or sold at other businesses. Wendy’s is fully cooperating with the investigation.