19 people contract E.Coli in seven states after outbreak linked to Costco salad

  • Five people have been hospitalized and two developed kidney failure
  • Six were reported ill in Montana, five in Utah and four in Colorado 
  • One person each got sick in California, Missouri, Virginia and Washington
  • The E.Coli strain is not related to the recent Chipotle outbreak 
  • But it is more dangerous and can be potentially life-threatening 
  • The salad has since been pulled from Costco's shelves 

By Associated Press and Reuters

Published: | Updated:

Nineteen people in seven states have contracted E. coli in an outbreak linked to a rotisserie chicken salad bought at Costco, federal health officials said Tuesday.

Six people have become ill in Montana, five in Utah, four in Colorado and one each in California, Missouri, Virginia and Washington state. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said five people have been hospitalized and two have developed a type of kidney failure.  

Health officials urged people who bought chicken salad at any US Costco store on or before November 20 to throw it away, even if no one has gotten sick. Above: One of the affected packs 

Nineteen people in seven states have contracted E. coli in an outbreak linked to a rotisserie chicken salad (pictured) bought at Costco Wholesale stores 

Six people have become ill in Montana, five in Utah, four in Colorado and one each in California, Missouri, Virginia and Washington state. The salad has since been removed from the shelves (file photo) 

Six people have become ill in Montana, five in Utah, four in Colorado and one each in California, Missouri, Virginia and Washington state. The salad has since been removed from the shelves (file photo) 

The illness reports began on October 6 and involved people from age 5 to 84.

Costco stopped selling the salad on November 20, the same day it was notified by federal health officials that it was linked to cases of E. coli, said Costco VP of food safety Craig Wilson.

People who bought chicken salad at any US Costco store on or before Friday were advised to throw it away, even if no one has gotten sick.

The strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can be life-threatening, but no deaths have been reported in the current outbreak.

The CDC and state health officials were investigating and have not yet determined what ingredient in the rotisserie chicken salad made and sold in the stores could be the source of the outbreak.

It is not related to a recent case involving Chipotle restaurants in which more than 40 people were sickened with the strain E. coli 026 in six states. 

The current strain found in the Costco salad has been identified as E. coli 157, which the CDC said is more likely to be life-threatening - especially in young children.

The current strain found in the Costco salad has been identified as E. coli 157, which the CDC said is more likely to be life-threatening - especially in young children - than the strain from the Chipotle outbreak 

The current strain found in the Costco salad has been identified as E. coli 157, which the CDC said is more likely to be life-threatening - especially in young children - than the strain from the Chipotle outbreak 

E. coli 157 is perhaps most often associated with a 1993 outbreak that killed four children who ate undercooked hamburgers at Jack in the Box restaurants. 

A call to Costco headquarters in Washington state seeking comment was not immediately returned. 

The human intestines contain hundreds of E. coli and similar bacteria strains. Most are harmless, but a few can cause serious problems.

Symptoms of E. coli infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.

The bacteria are associated with animal waste but aren't just associated with meat, as E. coli can also be spread in indirect ways on produce.

Health officials say the incubation period is three to seven days from the time of exposure.

The Costco outbreak is not related to the recent case involving Chipotle restaurants in which more than 40 people were sickened with the strain E. coli 026 in six states

The Costco outbreak is not related to the recent case involving Chipotle restaurants in which more than 40 people were sickened with the strain E. coli 026 in six states

E.Coli

Most watched News videos