E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped salad mix

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. This investigation includes illnesses in Canada recently reported by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits have been linked to the outbreak. This outbreak was caused by a different strain of E. coli O157:H7 than the current romaine lettuce from the Salinas, growing region in California. WGS showed that bacteria isolated from ill people in the United States and Canada are closely related genetically, meaning that there is a common source of infection. As of December 9, 2019, a total of eight people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 and three were hospitalized (one with HUS) from three states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota). No deaths have been reported. Data indicates that Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp chopped salad kits are a likely source of this outbreak. The ingredient that causes the illness is still under investigation. @ https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-12-19/index.html