Three From Arizona Sickened by E. coli Outbreak Tied to Chopped Romaine Lettuce from Yuma

Phoenix, Arizona—The Arizona Department of Health Services has confirmed that at least three Arizona residents have been sickened by the E. coli outbreak that is blamed for 38 illnesses in 11 states. The outbreak is tied to chopped romaine lettuce that originated in Yuma.

The Centers for Disease Control, which has assumed primary responsibility for the investigation of this outbreak, has declined to identify any growers, suppliers, distributors or brands associated with the outbreak. Instead, the agency is encouraging people to discard any store-bought chopped romaine lettuce.

The Arizona Department of Health Services provided little information on the Arizona residents sickened by the contaminated lettuce, including where they received the lettuce. Most of the illnesses tied to this outbreak are clustered in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. There also have been confirmed illnesses in Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia and Washington.

Yuma is one of the top producers of winter greens, which includes romaine lettuce. Most of the romaine lettuce consumed in North America between January and March of this year originated from the Yuma area.