New York and Kentucky are now included in the six states where the E. coli outbreak associated with Wendy’s fast food restaurants has been identified. In Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, and New York, at least 97 cases have been reported, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Michigan accounts for more than half of the infections. The CDC issued a warning in its statement, saying that “the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.”
Forty-three people were hospitalized in some cases, which had more severe outcomes. With only one point each in New York and Kentucky, Michigan has seen the most illnesses.
Of the 97 cases that have been reported, 10 have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can result in kidney failure, and 43 people have been admitted to the hospital. There have not been any reported deaths, according to the CDC.
While most strains of the E. coli bacterium are harmless, some can result in serious illness in both humans and animals. Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting are among the symptoms. High fevers are common in some people, and many suffer from fatal illnesses.
On August 21, Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania stopped serving lettuce. Wendy’s uses a different variety of romaine lettuce for its salads than it does for its sandwiches, according to the CDC.
