Lessons Learned from a Decade of Investigations of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Outbreaks Linked to Leafy Greens, United States and Canada.

We examined STEC outbreaks linked to leafy greens during 2009-2018 in the United States and Canada. We identified 40 outbreaks, 1,212 illnesses, 77 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 8 deaths. More outbreaks were linked to romaine lettuce (54%) than to any other type of leafy green. More outbreaks occurred in the fall (45%) and spring (28%) than in other seasons. Barriers in epidemiologic and traceback investigations complicated identification of the ultimate outbreak source. Research on the seasonality of leafy green outbreaks and vulnerability to STEC contamination and bacterial survival dynamics by leafy green type are warranted. Improvements in traceability of leafy greens are also needed. Federal and state health partners, researchers, the leafy green industry, and retailers can work together on interventions to reduce STEC contamination.
PMID: 32946367 [PubMed - in process]

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - September 22, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marshall KE, Hexemer A, Seelman SL, Fatica MK, Blessington T, Hajmeer M, Kisselburgh H, Atkinson R, Hill K, Sharma D, Needham M, Peralta V, Higa J, Blickenstaff K, Williams IT, Jhung MA, Wise M, Gieraltowski L Tags: Emerg Infect Dis Source Type: research