Costco Points to Vegetable Mix as Possible Source of Bacterial Infections

The outbreak, spread to 7 states, seems to be linked to rotisserie chicken salad made and sold at Costco stores, according to statements made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s most recent update reported 43 of the 45 sick people had been interviewed and all 43 reported eating Chipotle food the week before they became sick.

Costco past year was linked to a salmonella outbreak caused by chicken products it sold in at least nine states.

Although there is no confirmed death due to the outbreak, the E. coli strain which produces Shiga toxin can be potentially fatal as it may result to death. Other states involved are California, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Costco’s Mr. Wilson said all of the hospitalized people have been discharged. As health departments get more reports of foodborne illness, additional people will be checked for the fingerprint and the case count will likely rise, Tauxe said.

Costco is working with the CDC, FDA, and health officials in the affected states to try to solve this outbreak.

The specific ingredient in the chicken salad that is linked to the illness has not yet been identified but the investigation suggests that out of 16 people who got infected by the E. Coli, 14 of them bought or ate rotisserie chicken salad from the said wholesale store in the week before they felt sick. Five of the patients have been hospitalized, and two are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of this type of infection.

There is no evidence that any other Costco food was contaminated at this time.

“On Nov. 20, Costco reported to the FDA that is was removing its rotisserie chicken salad product from its shelves nationwide and has stopped production until further notice”.

“I think we’re going to learn something important from both ultimately”, he said. This is not related to the outbreak that happened recently that forced certain branches of Chipotle to close in some states in the Northwest, the news outlet added. People who have eaten it and feel ill should talk to a health care provider.

The symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection include severe abdominal cramps, bloody and watery diarrhea, a mild fever, nausea, and vomiting.