CDC: E. coli outbreak linked to baby spinach; 1 case in Michigan

The CDC has issued an alert about a growing E. coli outbreak linked to baby spinach, with at least one case reported in Michigan.

Here’s the info from the CDC:

Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach

• Sold at stores nationwide
• “Best by” date of October 23, 2021
• Sold in plastic clamshell containers

Minnesota officials found E. coli O157:H7 in a package of leftover Josie’s Organics baby spinach collected from a sick person’s home. Five people in this outbreak reported eating spinach in the week before they got sick and 1 reported Josie’s Organics brand. Cases have been reported in seven states, including Michigan.

Investigators are working to determine if additional products may be contaminated.

What you should do

• Do not eat any contaminated spinach. Throw it away or return it to where you bought it.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the contaminated spinach using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe coli symptoms:
  Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  Bloody diarrhea
  So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  
  Signs of dehydration, such as:
  Not peeing much
  Dry mouth and throat
  Feeling dizzy when standing up

Symptoms of E. coli

• Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
  Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
  Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
• Some people may develop a type of kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.
• For more information about E. coli, see the E. coli Questions and Answers page.