Deadly E. coli outbreak linked to carrots infects more California residents

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SAN DIEGO – One person in San Diego is among those who have fallen ill amid a nationwide E.coli outbreak linked to organic carrots, county public health officials said Tuesday.

Officials say organic, whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold under multiple brands by Grimmway Farms are tied to an outbreak that has infected 39 people in 18 states.

Among those, one person in Los Angeles County died, while 15 other people have been hospitalized.

The county did not reveal details about the condition of the person in San Diego who was sickened, but advised residents to throw away any carrots sold under the brands implicated in the outbreak.

Altogether, 39 people were infected and 15 were hospitalized in 18 states after eating organic whole and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfiled, California, has recalled the carrots, which included whole and baby organic carrots sold in bags under multiple brand names including 365, Cal-Organic, Nature’s Promise, O-Organics, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans, among others.

Most of the infected people live in New York, Minnesota and Washington, followed by California and Oregon, although infections have been reported in states throughout the country, the CDC reported.

Though the carrots are not expected to be sold in stores currently following a nationwide recall, health officials said some residents may have purchased them previously.

Those who believe they purchased the carrots were advised to wash any containers or surfaces the carrots touched with hot soapy water or in the dishwasher, and to wash their hands after handling the carrots or containers.
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`If you or a loved one are feeling sick, contact your doctor as soon as possible,” said Ankita Kadakia, interim San Diego County public health officer. “The Shiga toxin producing E.coli bacteria can cause serious kidney problems that require hospitalization, so it is important to get care promptly.”

E.coli can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting within three to four days, according to the county, which said the Shiga Toxin producing E.coli present in these carrots can cause hospitalization or death. (With CNS report)