CDC: E. coli outbreak hits Connecticut, 12 other states

Seventeen people across 13 states, including Connecticut, have been affected by an E. coli outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials have yet to confirm the source of the outbreak. Preliminary tests showed similarities to an ongoing outbreak from romaine lettuce in Canada that has caused 41 people to fall ill and has killed one.

“This investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available,” a news release from the CDC said.

The initial investigation shows the outbreak began sometime between Nov. 15 and Dec. 8 and has impacted California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont and Washington.

State and federal officials are interviewing individuals who fall ill in an attempt to pinpoint the source of the outbreak. Until then, the CDC is not able to recommend residents avoid a particular food.

E. coli symptoms include loss of appetite, fatigue, severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever.

Those who experience symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention and contact the local health department.

On Dec. 11, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued its first announcement on an E. coli outbreak that had been linked to romaine lettuce.

In an update on Dec. 21, they cited 41 cases from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.