California

Romaine Lettuce Outbreak Grows: 172 Sick in 32 States

At least 75 people have been hospitalized, including 20 with kidney failure

Health officials say nearly two dozen more cases of a food poisoning outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in Arizona have been reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that the total number of people sickened by a strain of E. coli is now 172 across 32 states. Iowa, Nebraska, and Oregon were added to the list of affected states.

At least 75 people have been hospitalized, including 20 with kidney failure. One death was reported in California.

Health officials say there is a lag time of two to three weeks between when someone falls ill and when it's reported to the CDC.

The agency says the romaine was grown in Yuma, Arizona and was last harvested April 16. So, it should no longer be in stores and restaurants because of its three-week shelf life. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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