An epidemiological investigation consists of many moving parts, an incredible degree of teamwork, and sometimes from multiple federal and state agencies.  But success in stopping the spread of disease sometimes turns on the actions of one competent department.  Good work to the State of New York State Department of Health and the Dutchess County Health Department. 

The County was undoubtedly instrumental in piecing together the epidemiological data regarding what product was causing illness, and the State Department of Health Laboratory, which has been instrumental in outbreaks past, isolated the outbreak strain of E. coli O145 bacteria from an unopened bag of Freshway romaine lettuce.  Again, good work. 

To date, the romaine lettuce E. coli O145 outbreak linked to Freshway Foods has caused 29 confirmed and probable illnesses, and most likely caused foodpoisoning in many other people too.  .