Health
E. coli outbreak triggers FDA warning
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 2, 2006
The Food and Drug Administration on Sept. 14 issued a consumer alert about a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.
At press time, the illness, which preliminary epidemiological evidence has tied to consumption of fresh bagged spinach, was associated with one death and multiple hospitalizations. As of Sept. 18, cases had been reported in 19 states.
The FDA is advising consumers not to eat bagged spinach and is encouraging anyone with symptoms after eating this product to contact his or her physician.
Although most healthy adults recover from E. coli O157:H7 within a week, some people -- most often young children and the elderly -- develop hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/10/02/hlbf1002.htm.
