A general view of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia September 30, 2014. Portal/Tami Chappell/
August 19 (Portal) – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they are investigating an outbreak of E.coli bacteria in four states from an unknown food source, with many of those affected reportedly eating sandwiches at Wendy’s Co ( WEN.O ).
Of the 37 patients, 22 are said to have eaten Wendy’s romaine lettuce sandwiches in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania in the week prior to becoming ill, the agency said on Friday.
However, investigators have yet to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the cause and whether the vegetables used in Wendy’s sandwiches were served or sold at other stores.
The burger chain said it is taking sandwich salads from its restaurants in the area as a precaution. Almost 1,100 of Wendy’s approximately 5,940 US restaurants are located in the four states.
The illness began between July 26 and August 8 and a total of 10 people were hospitalized, three of whom have developed some form of kidney failure in Michigan.
E.coli bacteria normally live in the gut of healthy humans and animals. Although many strains are harmless, certain types can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
The CDC said the exact number of those affected is likely higher and the outbreak may not be limited to the four states.
Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru; Edited by Arun Koyyur
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