The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's latest E. coli report brings good news for those who frequently use romaine lettuce.
According to the CDC, the last shipments of romaine lettuce from the Yuma region linked to E. coli infections were made on April 16. The harvest season has been finalized in the region.
"It is unlikely that any romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region is still available in stores or restaurants due to its 21-day shelf life," the CDC said in an updated report on its website on Wednesday.
The website said it takes two or three weeks between when a patient becomes ill with E. coli and the illness is reported to the CDC. The agency said the most recent illness reports occurred while the romaine lettuce from the Yuma region was still being made available for purchase.
The E. coli outbreak linked to the Yuma region has infected 172 people from 32 states with 75 patients hospitalized. There has been one reported death in California and 20 patients have developed a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, according to the CDC.
The agency said an investigation is ongoing and it will provide more updates as information becomes available.
