6 Confirmed E. coli Cases in Nebraska Linked to Spinach
The Nebraska Health and Human Services System (HHSS) is investigating a total of 11 cases of E.coli (O157:H7) that may be connected to a nationwide outbreak linked to spinach. Of these, six cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests to have the same DNA fingerprint as other cases in the country.
The six lab-confirmed cases of E. coli linked to the outbreak have been reported from Cass (2), Douglas (1), Sarpy (2) and Saunders (1) counties. Three of the cases have been serious enough to require hospitalization.
"We are in the process of conducting patient interviews and genetic fingerprint testing on bacteria obtained from people who have been ill," said Dr. Tom Safranek, state epidemiologist. "This will allow us to link these cases to the nationwide outbreak."
The age range for Nebraskans who have been positively identified as having the same genetic fingerprint as nationwide E.coli cases is 13 to 83 years.
People who have become ill with E.coli symptoms in Nebraska are being asked whether they have eaten fresh, store-bought spinach within 10 days prior to becoming ill.
Symptoms of E.coli illness include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), cramping, nausea and vomiting. If people are experiencing these symptoms after eating spinach, they should consult their health care provider, Dr. Safranek said.
The very young and the elderly are most at risk of developing a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can be deadly.
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