It’s been over 6 weeks since the very first reports of illnesses linked to the romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak have been reported to the CDC, but now it looks like the situation has escalated. That’s right, the multistate outbreak has, unfortunately, turned deadly.

According to the newest information released by the agency, a total of 121 people have been sickened by the product, with one of those, sadly, being a fatality. The individual who has passed away hasn’t been identified publicly, but we do know that he or she resided in and consumed the lettuce in California.

At the moment, officials are saying that 25 states in total have been affected by this massive outbreak, but they are warning all Americans of the potential danger that still lurks in the lettuce. Since the implementation of this specific recall, reports of illnesses, as well as specific public guidelines to follow have shifted as the days have gone on, which means that it’s important for everyone to pay attention to the latest info!

What you should do with your romaine lettuce

If you’ve been to your local grocery store recently, you’ve likely noticed that many of the shelves that usually hold romaine lettuce and pre-packaged salad mixes in the produce section are still empty. This is because this particular recall has affected a wide range of brands and varieties.

The company behind the tainted lettuce, Harrison Farms of Yuma, Arizona, acts as a producer for a massive amount of stores and brands, so much so that it has now affected exactly half of all U.S. States. Scary stuff!

So, what should you do if you have a head of romaine or even a pre-packaged salad mix that contains the leafy green? The CDC urges you to toss it or return it right away! At this point, officials can’t verify whether or not the greens are still on the shelves, so it’s important that you err on the side of caution.

In terms of symptoms, E. coli is a particularly painful and, as we mentioned, sometimes deadly sickness. It is characterized by vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, and mild dehydration. Just think of it as REALLY bad food poisoning– not fun at all!

Now, if you believe that you or a loved one might have become sick from eating the lettuce, seek medical help right away, and make sure that you alert doctors to your suspicions. Better yet, if you still have the package that contained the lettuce, bring it along with you– this can help the agencies better tackle the ongoing problem.

To get even more info on this now-deadly outbreak and to hear what a doctor recommends you should do with your lettuce, be sure to watch the video below. Remember, folks, the CDC’s recommendations are changing frequently, so it’s important that you keep up-to-date on the newest guidelines!

What’s your take on this E.coli outbreak? Have you been affected by the tainted lettuce? If so, what treatment did you receive for your illness?

Source: FDA