Romaine contamined with e. coli
Definitely stay away. Not only is it E. coli, it is, according to USA Today, the 0157:H7 strain which can cause kidney and multiple organ failure. Needless to say, this means the risk of severe illness is MUCH higher for humans and probably guinea pigs (they can get shiga-toxin producing shigella, so it makes sense that the E. coli's shiga toxins would similarly affect them). For humans the infectious dose that can cause severe or fatal cases is as little as 10 bacterial cells, which could be on one small unwashed bit of lettuce (or even washed lettuce).
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, which causes the organ failure, is not super common. It is just one unlikely, but very serious, complication. So it's not like every case develops it (luckily, or the outbreak would be a LOT more serious)
- RavenShade
- Thanks for the Memories
We didn't even compost the last of our romaine. We just threw it out. I saw the same report.