2006 North American E. coli outbreak in spinach

2006 North American E. coli outbreak in spinach
Disease	Escherichia coli O157:H7
Source	Contaminated spinach
Location	United States, Canada
Date	August 2006 – September 2006
Confirmed cases	199
Deaths	3

The 2006 North American E. coli outbreak in spinach was a significant public health incident that occurred in the late summer of 2006, primarily affecting the United States and Canada. The outbreak was caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli O157:H7, a pathogenic strain known for causing severe foodborne illness.

Background

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. In some cases, particularly among young children and the elderly, the infection can lead to a life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Outbreak Details

The outbreak was first identified in September 2006, when public health officials noticed an unusual increase in cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quickly launched an investigation to determine the source of the outbreak.

Source Identification

The investigation traced the source of the outbreak to fresh spinach grown in the Salinas Valley of California, a region often referred to as "America's Salad Bowl" due to its extensive production of leafy greens. The contamination was believed to have occurred at the farm level, possibly due to the use of contaminated water or contact with wild animals.

Impact

The outbreak resulted in 199 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection across 26 states in the United States and one province in Canada. Of these, 102 people were hospitalized, and 31 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Tragically, three deaths were attributed to the outbreak.

Response

In response to the outbreak, the FDA issued a nationwide recall of all fresh spinach products. Consumers were advised to avoid eating fresh spinach until the source of the contamination was identified and controlled. The recall had a significant economic impact on the spinach industry, with losses estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.

Prevention and Control Measures

Following the outbreak, the FDA and the produce industry implemented several measures to prevent future incidents. These included enhanced testing and monitoring of irrigation water, improved sanitation practices, and the development of the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA), which established guidelines for the safe production of leafy greens.

Also see

• Escherichia coli
• Foodborne illness
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Food and Drug Administration