This story has been updated since it was originally posted on 08/22/2022
Wendy’s fans— listen up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the popular chain‘s outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (and infections related to romaine lettuce within its sandwiches) has ended. The CDC reported earlier this month that the total number of confirmed patients is 109, which is more than the 97 reported in its previous update on September 1st.
Wendy’s E. coli outbreak spreads to New York, likely more sick than reported: CDC – New York Post #wendys #fastfood https://t.co/yIIKphD3Wm
— Fast Food Alerts (@ellett62) September 3, 2022
About half of these patients (52 to be exact) needed hospital stays to recover from their illnesses. Thirteen of the patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which Food Safety News dubs to be a “serious, often life-threatening condition that can cause kidney failure.” As of the October 4th CDC report, the specific source of the E. coli could not be fully confirmed. However, “83 percent of 82 patients for whom the information was available,” Food Safety News notes, reported eating at Wendy’s just before becoming ill.
According to the CDC statement, “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses.” This, they added, is because “many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.”
CDC fails to identify source of Wendy’s E. coli outbreak – New York Post #wendys #fastfood https://t.co/0pHIZODpp8
— Fast Food Alerts (@ellett62) October 5, 2022
Back in August, The CDC and Wendy’s announced that the burger giant was being investigated after an E. coli outbreak was possibly linked to their lettuce. E. coli is a bacteria that causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration and can even lead to kidney failure in some cases.
The multi-state E. coli outbreak that has been linked to people having consumed romaine lettuce at @Wendys restaurants has spread to more states—#NewYork and #Kentucky—according to @CDCgov. https://t.co/8tscw0587G
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) September 4, 2022
The Ohio-based chain pulled romaine greens from their sandwiches and burgers after 37 people in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania fell sick, and 10 were hospitalized with serious health issues. Those numbers then soared even higher, with over 100 total E. coli cases that were linked back to Wendy’s across all four states. According to Thrillist, William Marler, a lawyer representing victims in Michigan, predicted that the final number would rise to 200.
CDC Investigation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday, August 19th that it was investigating Wendy’s after individuals who ate sandwiches there fell sick, starting on or around July 26th.
E. COLI OUTBREAK UPDATE: Investigators are working to confirm source. Many sick people ate sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants in OH, MI, & PA. Wendy’s has removed romaine used in sandwiches from locations in the region. https://t.co/ARu54vuGUi pic.twitter.com/kVaauRHpxv
— CDC (@CDCgov) August 19, 2022
“Many sick people ate sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy’s restaurants,” the organization revealed of the possible source of the outbreak.
The individuals they’ve investigated are in Michigan, Ohio Pennsylvania (with another purported individual in Indiana). Three of the victims in Michigan have suffered from a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that is often linked to the bacteria. Scary!
Wendy’s Statement
The company quickly issued a response to the CDC report, assuring customers that same day that they were at the time “fully cooperating with public health authorities” and have removed lettuce as a topping from certain locations in that Midwest region. The lettuce from their salads is sourced separately, and therefore not affected, the “Response to CDC Statement” clarified.
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Romaine lettuce has a higher risk of E. coli because its leaves are thin, making it susceptible when compared to "tough" leafy greens like spinach or kale. It's also typically grown in Arizona and California, which are cattle regions. E. coli is often transferred when the irrigation water used on romaine fields becomes tainted from the animals. Ew!
Cause For Concern
The number of people affected by the outbreak jumped from 29 on Tuesday, August 16th to 37 just a few days later, and had reached over 100 by Wednesday, August 24th.
"It's a large number, fast," Dr. Amy Edwards, a physician in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at University Hospitals warned to NBC News when the cases spiked to 37. "We do get to larger outbreaks [with E. Coli], but it usually takes a little longer." The CDC said there are likely many more customers that got sick but haven't reported it to the agency.
Beyond the three states where the outbreak was being investigated as of press time, another person in Indiana then reported to have gotten sick with E. Coli. The CDC said investigators are trying to determine if the lettuce was used by other business, such as grocery stores or other restaurants. Stay safe out there, fast food lovers!
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