2002 Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 at a Spokane Dance Camp Linked to Lettuce
An outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 occurred among attendees of a dance camp held between July 11-14 on the campus of Eastern Washington University. The camp was for middle and high school girls. Attendees were from Washington, Montana, and Minnesota. Some of the ill girls attended a church camp in Spokane at the conclusion of the dance camp. Secondary cases were subsequently reported at the church camp and also in the girls' home communities. The cases shared a Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), genetic fingerprint, pattern. Case-control study results strongly showed that the Caesar salad, made with Romaine lettuce and served during the July 11 dinner meal and the July 12 lunch, was associated with illness.
- Outbreak began:
- July 2002
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Minnesota, Washington
- Organism(s):
-
- E. coli O157:H7
- Vehicle(s):
- Vegetable, Leafy greens, Romaine lettuce
- Molecular Results Available:
- Yes
- Test Results:
- Unknown
- Location(s):
- Dance camp
- Brand Name(s):
- None
- Total ill:
- 78
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 45
- Number Probable Cases:
- 33
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Number Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- Yes