As of October 3, 2006, the total number of E. coli 0157 infections reported to the CDC was 192.
E. coli O157 has been isolated from 9 packages of baby spinach with the same brand name. The spinach was obtained from patients living in 7 different states. All nine packages contained the same strain of E. coli as the outbreak strain.
The total number of E. coli 0157 infections reported to the CDC associated with fresh bagged spinach stands as of October 3, 2006 was 192. One more state has been added to the list of affected states.
No further deaths have been reported.
It is likely that reported cases will begin to plateau now that affected produce has been removed from distribution. Sporadic cases may continue to be reported as a result of transmission from infected individuals to non-infected individuals through fecal-oral spread.
