The E. coli romaine lettuce outbreak case-count has expanded again, this time to 23 confirmed illnesses, which is up 4 illnesses from the CDC’s last report.  The most recently included case came from Tennessee, and was also caused by associated with recent exposure to romaine lettuce contaminated by E. coli O145.  The contaminated lettuce was processed and sold by Freshway Foods, from Sidney Ohio, and grown in Yuma Arizona.

As of May 11, 2010, a total of 23 confirmed and 7 probable cases related to this outbreak have been reported from 4 states since March 1, 2010. The number of ill persons identified in each state with this strain is: MI (10 confirmed and 3 probable), NY (4 confirmed and 3 probable), OH (8 confirmed and 1 probable), and TN (1 confirmed).
Among the confirmed and probable cases with reported dates available, illnesses began between April 10, 2010 and April 26, 2010. Infected individuals range in age from 13 years old to 31 years old and the median age is 19 years. Sixty-six percent of patients are male.

The first lawsuit filed was filed yesterday by Marler Clark LLP on behalf of a Columbus, Ohio resident.