More patients have been added and another state is involved in an outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella infections traced to sprouts, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
As of Oct. 1, there were 76 confirmed patients across 16 states infected with the outbreak strains of E. coli (multiple serotypes including O26:H11, O103:H25, O168:H8) and Salmonella Agona. The infections are associated with alfalfa sprout products from Everything Sprouts LLC of Minneapolis, MN. There have been six hospitalizations but no deaths.
Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 31 to Sept. 7. State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 50 people interviewed so far, 40 reported eating sprouts and 35 specified eating alfalfa sprouts.
The sick people live in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota , New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
The outbreak is unusual in that it involves two pathogens. Some people were infected with more than one outbreak strain. Sixty-four people were infected with E. coli, 9 people were infected with Salmonella, and 3 people were infected with both Salmonella and E. coli.
Epidemiologic and traceback evidence show that alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC is one of the sources of illnesses in this outbreak. While alfalfa sprouts grown by Everything Sprouts LLC are a source of illnesses in this outbreak, these sprouts do not explain all the illnesses.
The outbreak was first reported by the FDA on Aug. 21 when 55 patients had been identified. On Aug. 22, Everything Sprouts LLC initiated a recall for certain alfalfa sprouts sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. The company also recalled Robust Radish mix, Crunchy Protein Sprout mix and Zesty Garlic mix.
In connection with the outbreak, on Sept. 23 Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, OH, recalled 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seeds after being notified by their seed supplier that the seed has the potential to be contaminated with STEC and/or Salmonella. The seed supplier notified Berlin Seeds that seed lot SAL2-24JB was identified through traceback as seed used by another sprout grower whose finished sprouts were part of FDA’s outbreak investigation.
The FDA is not naming the seed supplier.
There are likely many more sick people in this outbreak than are included in the official patient count. This is because some people do not seek medical treatment and others are not tested for pathogens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for every patient identified in a Salmonella outbreak there are 29 who go undetected. For E. coli the multiplier is 26.
About E. coli infections
Food contaminated with E. Coli does not look, smell or taste bad.
Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor.
Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients.
People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.