ONTARIO – Public Health Canada is asking residents of Ontario and Quebec to not consume romaine lettuce.
The lettuce is suspected to be contaminated with E. coli.
“In Canada, as of November 20, 2018, there have been 18 confirmed cases of E. coli illness investigated in Ontario (3) and Quebec (15),” reads a statement on the Public Health Canada website. “Individuals became sick between mid-October and early November 2018. Six individuals have been hospitalized, and one individual suffered from hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a severe complication that can result from an E. coli infection. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 5 and 93 years of age. The majority of cases (56%) are female.”
Symptoms that occur after consuming E. coli contaminated food include nausea, vomiting, headache, mild fever, severe stomach cramps, and watery or bloody diarrhea.
“As the risk is ongoing, the Public Health Agency of Canada is advising individuals in Ontario and Quebec to avoid eating romaine lettuce and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce until more is known about the outbreak and the cause of contamination,” the Public Health Canada statement goes on to say. “Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that residents in other parts of Canada are affected by this outbreak.”
According to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) there have been no reported cases in Cornwall or the surrounded area.
