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September 15th, 2006

NATIONAL WARNING FOR POSSIBLE E. COLI IN BAGGED SPINACH

As you may have already heard on the news, The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert warning consumers to avoid eating all fresh-bagged spinach.
This alert stems from an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in multiple states. There has been one Washington case associated with this outbreak and 50 cases (including one death) nationwide. Preliminary findings indicate that pre-packaged spinach is the most likely source. Additional investigation to determine the brand or brands of pre-packaged spinach involved is needed.
As of right now, there is no official product recall by FDA and until the brand investigation is complete, Skagit County Health Officials are asking customers to avoid eating bagged spinach and to throw away any that they have on hand currently. Many stores are choosing to take it off the shelf voluntarily.
E. coli O157:H7 causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. To date, eight cases of HUS have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to this outbreak.
If you have any questions about this warning or think that there is a chance that you have illness please call the Skagit County Health Department at (360) 336-9380.