A Costco E. coli outbreak linked to chicken salad has sickened 19 people in seven states, and health officials say the strain of sickness could be life-threatening.
Of the 19 cases reported, five people have been hospitalized and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of
kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The epidemiologic evidence available to investigators at this time suggests that rotisserie chicken salad made and sold in Costco stores is a likely source of this outbreak," the CDC reported. "The ongoing investigation has not identified what specific ingredient in the chicken salad is linked to illness."
The E. coli outbreak has hit seven states, with six cases reported in Montana, five in Utah, four in Colorado, and one each in California, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington state. The first illness was reported Oct. 6.
Costco removed all remaining rotisserie chicken salad from its U.S. stores by Nov. 20, and stopped further production of the salad until further notice. Any chicken salad with item number
37719 should be thrown away, according to CNN.
"People typically get sick two to eight days after eating food infected with E. coli. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody," CNN reported. "Most people who get sick from E. coli recover within a week; however, people with chronic conditions can experience much more severe symptoms that can include kidney failure. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable."
The particular strain of E. coli involved in the Costco outbreak — 157 — is more dangerous, especially to young people, than the strain responsible for the recent Chipotle outbreak that swept the Northwest and sickened more than
40 people, The Associated Press reported.