September 15th, 2006

HARRISBURG – In accordance with an alert released earlier today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson is urging Pennsylvanians to avoid eating bagged fresh spinach or any other bagged mixed greens that may contain fresh spinach until more information is known about the source of a multi-state E. coli outbreak.

“The Department of Health has started its public health investigation, and is working very closely with local health care providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify any cases of E. coli in Pennsylvania residents that may be linked to this outbreak,” Dr. Johnson said. “To avoid any other cases or illness, individuals should avoid eating bagged fresh spinach or any other bagged mixed greens that may contain fresh spinach until we have more information on the source of this outbreak.”

Secretary Johnson also noted that individuals who believe they may have experienced symptoms of E. coli illness after consuming bagged spinach should contact their doctor.

E. coli can cause diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Most healthy individuals can recover completely within a week; however the very young and elderly are at a greater risk of developing a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which can be fatal.

At this time Pennsylvania is currently investigating three positive cases of E.coli to determine if the strain is identical to the one that has been identified in the connection to the current outbreak. More information will be released as tests are completed.

More information about E. coli is available on the health department’s website, www.health.state.pa.us.

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Troy Thompson
Department of Health
(717) 787-1783