An outbreak of E. coli infections traced to organic walnuts has been declared over. The outbreak sickened 13 people in Washington and Oregon, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seven of the patients required hospitalization. No deaths were reported, but two of the patients developed acute kidney failure. The last known infection from E.
coli O157:H7 was reported on April 4. A traceback investigation by the Food and Drug Administration identified Gibson Farms Inc. as the common supplier of walnuts in this outbreak.
On April 27 Gibson Farms Inc. initiated a voluntary recall and contacted their distributing customers. The organic walnuts were distributed in natural food stores and co-ops in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The walnuts may have been repackaged in containers without indication they were from Gibson Farms. There is some concern that consumers may have frozen the implicated walnuts for future use. Anyone who eats walnuts and develops symptoms of E.
coli infection should immediately seek medical attention. Freezing does not kill the bacteria. About E.
coli infections Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses. The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is ofte.