E. Coli Outbreak: 4 States Now Affected; Lettuce From Wendy's Sandwiches Possibly Linked

An active E. coli outbreak of an "unknown food source" is now in four states and has affected several more people. Many of the patients have reported eating food such as burgers and sandwiches with lettuce at Wendy's before they fell ill.

Thirty-seven people have been affected by the E. coli outbreak as of Aug. 18, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted in its update. This is eight more than the number it announced just the day before.

The number of states affected by the outbreak has also increased from two to four. In addition to Michigan and Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana have also logged illnesses related to the outbreak. As of Aug. 19, Ohio was the hardest hit state with 19 illnesses, followed by Michigan with 15. Pennsylvania had two cases, while Indiana logged one.

So far, 10 people have been hospitalized.

Authorities have yet to confirm a specific food source for this outbreak. However, based on the interviews with 26 people about the food they ate in the week before they fell ill, 22 (86%) said they ate various menu items at Wendy's stores in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio, with the romaine lettuce in burgers and sandwiches being among "the most common ingredients" in the food they consumed.

That said, authorities are still confirming whether the lettuce is, indeed, the source of the outbreak and if other stores have used it as well. They are also looking at the data "at the ingredient level" to see if there is another possible source of the outbreak.

But "as a precautionary measure," Wendy's is already removing the lettuce it uses in sandwiches from its stores in the affected regions.

According to the agency, the restaurant is "fully cooperating with the investigation." It also clarified that the establishment uses different romaine lettuce for its salads.

"CDC is not advising that people avoid eating at Wendy's restaurants or that people stop eating romaine lettuce," the agency said. "At this time, there is no evidence to indicate that romaine lettuce sold in grocery stores, served in other restaurants, or in people's homes is linked to this outbreak. CDC will update this advice if the investigation identifies foods to avoid."