Spotlight: Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
As of November 30, 2011, 60 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli serotype O157:H7 have been reported from 10 states. Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that romaine lettuce is the likely source of illnesses in this outbreak, and contamination likely occurred before the product reached retail stores. This particular outbreak appears to be over and consumers are not being advised to avoid eating any specific foods at this time. More
About E. coli
- Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
- Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)
- Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
- Resources for Clinicians
E. coli Outbreaks
- Romaine Lettuce - E. coli O157:H7, 2011
- Travel to Germany – Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O104, 2011
- Lebanon Bologna - E. coli O157:H7, 2011
- Hazelnuts - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2011
- Cheese - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2010
- Shredded Romaine Lettuce from a Single Processing Facility - Escherichia coli O145, 2010
- Beef from National Steak and Poultry - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2010
- Beef from Fairbank Farms - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2009
- Beef from JBS Swift Beef Company - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2009
- Prepackaged Cookie Dough - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2009
- Beef from Kroger/Nebraska Ltd - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2008
- Totino's/Jeno's Pizza - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2007
- Topp's Ground Beef Patties - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2007
- Taco Bell - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2006
- Fresh Spinach - Escherichia coli O157:H7, 2006
- See all recent E. coli outbreaks...
Select Publications
- E. coli: Key publications
[PDF - 226 KB] - Incidence and Trends of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food---Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 1o U.S. Sites, 1996-2010
- Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food ---10 States, 2009
- MMWR - “Recommendations for Diagnosis of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Infections by Clinical Laboratories” [PDF - 287 KB]
- Importance of Culture Confirmation of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli Infection as Illustrated by Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis --- New York and North Carolina, 2005
- Surveillance for Foodborne-Disease Outbreaks - U.S., 1998 -2002
- Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses: A Primer for Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals
- The Lancet (abstract) - “Characterisation of the Escherichia coli strain associated with an outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Germany, 2011: a microbiological study”
- The New England Journal of Medicine - "Epidemic Profile of Shiga-Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 Outbreak in Germany — Preliminary Report".
Related Resources
Page last modified: December 7, 2011
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED)
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