The Wendy's E. coli outbreak in Ohio has sickened at least 24 people and has hospitalized six, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Overall, at least 97 people are sick in six states: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, and Kentucky. The 24 cases in Ohio are located in these counties: Wood (10), Lucas (4), Lorain (3), Cuyahoga (2), Mahoning (2), Clermont (1), Franklin (1), and Summit (1). The patient age range in that state is from eight to 82 years old. No deaths have been reported. Ten people in this outbreak in all six states have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a complication of this type of infection that affects the kidneys, but the Ohio press release did not mention HUS. While a specific food has not been officially linked to this … [Read more...]
Wendy’s Romaine E. coli Outbreak Case Count Rises to 97
The Wendy's romaine E. coli outbreak case count has risen to include at least 97 sick in six states, with 43 hospitalized. Ten people are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of 13 new illnesses, five new hospitalizations, two more with HUS, and two new states: New York and Kentucky. The patient case count by state is: Indiana (11), Kentucky (1), Michigan (58), New York (1), Ohio (24), and Pennsylvania (2). Illness onset dates range from July 25, 2022 to August 15, 2022. The patient age range is from 3 to 94 years. Of 81 people who gave information about their health to investigators, 43, or 53%, have been hospitalized, which is a very high hospitalization … [Read more...]
Now 84 Sick in Wendy’s E. coli Romaine Lettuce Outbreak
Now there are 84 sick in Wendy's E. coli romaine lettuce outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are 38 people who have been hospitalized, and eight people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of illness. That is a huge increase or 47 more illnesses from 37 official illnesses just one week ago. The case count by state is: Indiana (6), Michigan (53), Ohio (23), and Pennsylvania (2). Illness onset dates range from July 26, 2022 to August 9, 2022. The patient age range is from 5 to 94 years. Of 73 people who gave information to investigator4s, 38 have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 52%. Eight people who live in Michigan have developed hemolytic uremic … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table Updated
The FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table updated with more information about the current outbreaks, including two cyclospora outbreaks, one E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, and two new Salmonella outbreaks. Case counts have been adjusted. The investigation into the Daily Harvest French Lentils outbreak has not advanced. For the cyclospora outbreaks, cases from one outbreak have been "re-grouped" into the other outbreak based on genomic data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One outbreak increased from 6 cases to 70, and the other case count was adjusted downward from 98 to 41. This means that the government has more ability to identify the gene sequences in cyclospora oocysts than in previous outbreaks. For the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in a "not yet identified … [Read more...]
How Many in Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak? Depends on Who You Ask
How many sick in Wendy's E. coli outbreak? It depends on who you ask. According to the CDC, there are 37 people sick with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 as of August 18, 2022. But if you add in the number of confirmed cases according to the Michigan Department of Health, there are 43, not 15 that the CDC counts. And officials in Wood County, Ohio state that there are 22 people sick in that county alone with seven hospitalizations, although only nine have been confirmed as the outbreak strain. The state of Ohio says there are 19 total sick in that state, with seven in Wood county, but 12 in seven other counties. And there are patients in Indiana and Pennsylvania. This type of disparity is fairly common in the early stages of an investigation. And the Centers for Disease … [Read more...]
Ohio Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak Grows to 19 Sick, Four Hospitalized
The Ohio Wendy's E. coli outbreak has grown to include 19 people sick with four in the hospital, according to the Ohio Department of Health. There is no mention of any patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection. That is an increase of three patients since the last update from Wood county on August 15, 2022. And the number of counties included in the case count have expanded. The patient case count by county is: Wood (7), Lorain (3), Cuyahoga (2), Lucas (2), Mahoning (2), Clermont (1), Franklin (1), and Summit (1). The paitent age range is from 8 to 82 years. There are 11 males and eight females. Four people have been hospitalized. Romaine lettuce served on Wendy's burgers and sandwiches has been … [Read more...]
Wendy’s Michigan E. coli Outbreak Grows to 43 Sick, 24 in Hospital
The Wendy's Michigan E. coli outbreak has grown to include 43 people sickened and at least 24 hospitalized. Four people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this infection. The CDC total for the state is currently just 15, so this is a dramatic case count increase. The case count includes patients from these counties: Allegan, Branch, Clinton, Genesee, Gratiot, Jackson, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ottawa, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne. The city of Detroit is also included. The patient age range is from 6 to 94 years. Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of public health administration at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in as statement, "We are reminding … [Read more...]
Wendy’s Romaine Lettuce Named in Growing E. coli Outbreak
Wendy's romaine lettuce has been named in the growing E. coli outbreak by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While this has not been confirmed, many sick people reported eating sandwiches made with romaine lettuce at Wendy's restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania before getting sick. Based on this information, Wendy's is removing the romaine lettuce used in those sandwiches from restaurants in that region. Wendy's uses a different type of romaine lettuce in their salads. Investigators are trying to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether that lettuce was used in Wendy's sandwiches sold in other states. The case count by state is: Indiana (1), Michigan (15), Ohio (19), and Pennsylvania (2). Indiana and Pennsylvania … [Read more...]
History of Fast Food E. coli Outbreaks is Long and Complicated
There is a mystery E. coli outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in Michigan and Ohio. After days of counties reporting the illnesses, the CDC got involved in the investigation yesterday. At least 29 people in those states are sick, and nine patients have been hospitalized. What could be causing this outbreak? We started thinking about the history of fast food E. coli outbreaks over the years. Unfortunately, outbreaks and fast food restaurants are a fairly common combination. There have been many Salmonella, E. coli, and cyclospora outbreaks associated with those restaurants. The main fast food restaurant chains in this country include Wendy's, McDonald's, Jimmy John's, Jack in the Box, Burger King, and Hardees, among others. These are the E. coli outbreaks linked to fast food … [Read more...]
Three New Outbreaks on FDA CORE Investigation Table
Three new outbreaks have been posted on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and two Salmonella outbreaks have been added. And two outbreak investigations have ended. This table doesn't tell us very much about these outbreaks. And unless there is some action that consumers can take, such as a recall, the FDA doesn't identify any probable cause. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least 29 people in Michigan and Ohio. Nine people are hospitalized. Traceback has been initiated in that investigation. A new Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak has sickened at least 19 people. No traceback has been initiated in that outbreak. And a new Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak has sickened at least 44 people. Traceback has been initiated in that … [Read more...]
