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9 More Cases Reported in E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce; New Jersey One of the Worst Hit States: CDC

Fifty-two people in 15 states have been sickened since October

The CDC says nine more people have been reported sick in the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce since the federal agency's last update on Nov. 26, and New Jersey is one of the worst-hit states. 

Fifty-two people in 15 states have been sickened since October, the CDC said Thursday. Nineteen of them have been hospitalized, including two people who developed a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. 

New Jersey has seen 11 cases of romaine-linked E. coli, making it the one of the hardest hit states alongside California. New York has seen six cases, and Connecticut saw one case. 

The E. coli outbreak announced just before Thanksgiving follows one in the spring that sickened more than 200 people and killed five, and another last year that sickened 25 and killed one.

The dozens of illnesses highlight the challenge of eliminating risk for vegetables grown in open fields and eaten raw, the role of nearby cattle operations that produce huge volumes of manure and the delay of stricter federal food safety regulations.

It's not yet known how romaine got contaminated in the latest outbreak.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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