OHIO, USA — A possible link between cases in an E. coli outbreak in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania has been traced back to romaine lettuce used in Wendy's sandwiches.
37 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli. Many of those who are sick reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy's restaurants, according to a CDC advisory.
Wood County was one of the areas that has seen multiple cases of E coli in recent weeks.
Eight cases were added since the last CDC update on Wednesday. The investigation also has expanded to Indiana and Pennsylvania.
Ten people have been hospitalized, including three in Michigan who have a type of kidney failure most commonly associated with E. coli. No deaths have been reported.
Among 26 people interviewed, 22 reported eating at Wendy's in the week before becoming sick, the CDC said.
The Wendy's restaurants were located in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The sick person in Indiana has not been interviewed.
Wendy's is taking a precautionary measure of removing romaine lettuce in sandwiches from the region. Wendy's does not use the same type of lettuce in its salads.
The CDC does not advise people to stop eating at Wendy's or to stop eating romaine lettuce from other sources.
At this time, the CDC said, there is no evidence that romaine lettuce sold in grocery stores, served in other restaurants or at people's homes is linked to the outbreak.
Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source and whether or not it was served at other businesses.
The CDC's full update is as follows:
A specific food has not yet been confirmed as the source of this outbreak, but many sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before getting sick. Based on this information, Wendy’s is taking the precautionary measure of removing the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in that region. Wendy’s uses a different type of romaine lettuce for salads. Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether romaine lettuce used in Wendy’s sandwiches was served or sold at other businesses. Wendy’s is fully cooperating with the investigation.