As of May 16, CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E.
coli O157 infections. Epidemiologic and traceback data show that organic walnuts distributed by Gibson Farms, Inc. may be contaminated with E.
coli and may be making people sick. Epidemiologic Data As of April 30, 2024, 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 2 states ( see map ).
Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 1, 2024, to April 4, 2024 ( see timeline ). Of 11 people with information available, 7 (64%) have been hospitalized. Two patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.
No deaths have been reported. The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E.
coli . In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick.
This information provides clues to help investigators identify the sou.