Fresh lettuces contaminated with E-coli: women more at risk

AFP

Friday, 22 December 2017 13:56

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Friday, 22 December 2017 13:56

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Infection by the bacterium E. coli which has already been a death in Canada, affecting mainly women, has it learned Friday from the health services and who are asking Canadians not to consume of fresh lettuces.

“It is recommended to people who find themselves in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador from eating other types of lettuce and romaine lettuce until we know more about the outbreak and the cause of the contamination,” says Health Canada on its web site.

Forty cases of infections with E. coli O157 were the subject of an investigation in five provinces : Ontario (8) Quebec (13), New Brunswick (5), Nova Scotia (1) and Newfoundland and Labrador (13). People have become sick in the month of November and early December 2017. Sixteen people were hospitalized and one death has been found.

The contamination by the bacterium Escherichia coli, that has appeared since one month and also responsible for many hospitalizations, is significantly extended without the “cause” is not clearly identified.

The sick are between the ages of 4 to 85 years of age and, in three of four cases, “these are girls and women,” according to the statistics.

These individuals reported having eaten romaine lettuce before the first symptoms appear, purchased in the form of a salad, or already packaged in the store, but also at the restaurant or in fast food chains.

The bacterium E-coli can result in the week following the consumption of contaminated products bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, with or without fever.

In total, five provinces of eastern canada, from Ontario to Nova scotia on the atlantic coast, are affected by this outbreak of Escherichia coli O157, has warned the ministry of Health.

Because of cases ever reported, “the romaine lettuce that is contaminated could still be found on the market, including in the restaurants,” according to the health authorities.