2021 Outbreak of E. coli O103 Infections Associated with Minced Celery, Canada

In April 2021, a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) O103 outbreak was identified among patients at two hospitals in Victoria, British Columbia (BC). Six confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were identified, all related by whole genome sequencing. The majority of cases were female (67%) and the median age was 61 years (range 24–87 years). All confirmed cases were inpatients or outpatients at two hospitals and were exposed to raw minced celery within prepared sandwiches provided by hospital food services. A local processor supplied the minced celery exclusively to the two hospitals. Testing of product at the processor was infrequent, and chlorine rinse occurred before mincing. The spread of residual E. coli contamination through the mincing process, in addition to temperature abuse at the hospitals, were thought to have contributed to this outbreak.

Overview

Outbreak began:April 2021
Affected country:Canada
States/territories:NA
Pathogen:E. coli O103
Vehicle(s):Celery
Location(s):Hospital
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:6
Number hospitalized:6

Sources & documents

Outbreak documents