At least 19 people have been infected with E.coli after consuming rotisserie chicken that was made and sold at Costco Wholesale stores, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed earlier today.
Cases have been reported in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Washington. The four cases of E.coli in Colorado were confirmed after one person was hospitalized. Fortunately, all patients have recovered, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. There was a separate case in Washington, but the Washington State Department of Health stated that the case was less severe and that the infected individual avoided hospitalization.
Signs of E.coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that may be bloody. Symptoms usually kick in two to eight days after eating food that has been contaminated with the E.coli strain.
Costco is working in collaboration with the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and state health departments to work out the exact source of contamination. The FDA and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have also confirmed that the chicken salad has been pulled from shelves in Colorado.
Health investigators have determined that the infected who bought the chicken salad did so in late October or early November. Customers who bought Costco chicken salad are being urge to check the product label–those bearing the item number 37719 must be thrown out immediately.
At least 19 ill after E.coli infections linked to Costco chicken salad on Youth Independent News by Cindy Pereira