Physical Wellness

Alfalfa Sprouts Responsible for E. Coli Outbreak

By Kanika Gupta | Update Date: Mar 01, 2016 01:26 PM EST

Recent cases of E. Coli were reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin that affected nine people, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. Two people have been serious after the infection and are currently in hospital.

Jack & The Green Sprouts in River Falls, Wisconsin, produce Alfalfa Sprouts that are linked to the E. Coli strain causing the outbreak, Fox News says

"Of the eight ill people who were interviewed, all eight reported eating or possibly eating alfalfa sprouts in the week before illness started," the CDC said in an outbreak announcement.

After the consumption if bacteria, it takes about two to eight days for the symptoms to surface. It includes stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Most people are able to recover from the symptoms in about a week. However, some individuals may become severely ill causing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life threatening condition.

The people who got reportedly sick from the virus were in the age group of 17 to 84 and 62% if them were women.

FDA and CDC are working in collaboration with the state officials to get to the bottom of this outbreak.

Meanwhile, CDC has warned the consumers from eating the alfalfa sprouts from Jack & The Green Sprouts as well as restaurants that have them on the menu. The agency also cautions, "Like any fresh produce that is consumed raw or lightly cooked, sprouts may contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Warm and humid conditions used for sprouting are also ideal for the growth of bacteria, including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. Any bacteria present can multiply dramatically during the sprouting process," reports CNN

It is important to not that this outbreak has no association with the ongoing multi-state salmonella outbreak, also linked to alfalfa sprouts from Sweetwater Farms in Kansas. So far, 13 people in four states have been diagnosed with the illness, as reported by Green Bay Press Gazette

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