MICHIGAN, USA — The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is currently investigating a multi-state, fast moving outbreak of E. coli strain O157.
The outbreak has impacted four states so far, including Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), there are currently 43 confirmed cases in the state matching the O157 strain. The illness onset dates range from late July through early August, with cases throughout West Michigan including Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Allegan counties.
The MDHHS is reporting more than half of the people who have gotten sick had eaten at a Wendy's Restaurant.
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) says they currently have 14 cases within the county. They confirmed that five of those cases are directly linked to this outbreak, two of those five cases had eaten at a Wendy's restaurant in the county prior to their illness.
In a statement sent to 13 ON YOUR SIDE Friday evening, OCDPH said the following:
"On August 8, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) was notified by a health care provider of a higher-than-normal number of shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) cases in that medical office. Upon receipt of that notification, OCDPH communicable disease staff conducted a review of the Michigan Disease Surveillance System and confirmed the increase in cases compared to previous years. Five of the fourteen cases in Ottawa County have been confirmed to be associated with the multi-state outbreak being investigated by state and federal authorities. One common exposure cited by the five confirmed cases we’ve received so far include dining at Wendy’s. Cases also cited other sources of potential exposure. All potential exposures are being investigated by OCDPH, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On August 11, OCDPH environmental health staff conducted an investigation at the Wendy’s restaurant located on Port Sheldon Street and discovered a number of food safety violations that could impact public health. The Ottawa County Wendy’s location voluntarily closed for training and to remediate these issues. OCDPH has worked with the restaurant to ensure that all health code requirements have been met and that safe food handling practices, including thorough cleaning of the restaurant, are in place to protect public health. The restaurant was approved to reopen on August 17, 2022.
Because this is an ongoing, multijurisdictional outbreak, please contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for additional information and comment."
While the CDC has not confirmed an official food source, they say many sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before getting sick.
Wendy's is aware of the outbreak and is taking precautionary measures of removing romaine lettuce that is being used on sandwiches.
Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether romaine lettuce used in Wendy’s sandwiches was served or sold at other businesses.
The CDC says Wendy’s is fully cooperating with the investigation and they see no reason for people to avoid eating there.
At this time, MDHHS is recommending people experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection should consult a health care provider as soon as possible and discuss if testing is recommended. Health care providers should contact their local health department to report suspected or confirmed STEC cases.
Symptoms vary for each person, but often include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea – often bloody
- Vomiting
- Fever
Symptoms of E. coli infection usually appear three to four days after the exposure but may appear in as short as one day or as long as 10 days. Symptoms often improve within five to seven days.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.