2002 Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts, California
Five E. coli O157:H7 isolates with indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were identified and investigated in California. Risk of illness was attributed to the consumption of alfalfa sprouts. A traceback led back to a single sprout-growing facility.
Immediately before the outbreak, debris had been removed from a water storage tank at the facility. Subsequently irrigation water from multiple sprout varieties tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.
Tags:
o157, stec, alfalfa+sprouts, sproutsOverview
| Outbreak began: | July 2002 |
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| Affected country: | US |
| States/territories: | CA |
| Pathogen: | E. coli O157:H7 |
| Vehicle(s): | Sprouts |
| Location(s): | Unknown |
| Molecular test results: | Not reported |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 5 |
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Sources & documents
| Report / reference links | ||
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