Georgia joins list of states impacted by E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce

Georgia is now being impacted by the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce spreading across the country.

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new warning after 31 more people were reported ill in the outbreak.

Eight-four people total have been affected in 19 states, according to a CDC investigation.

No deaths have been reported, but three more states have reported ill people: Georgia, Colorado and South Dakota.

Illnesses were initially reported in Washington, Idaho, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The latest person affected is a teenager in metro Atlanta.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Woman kills husband's mistress then turns gun on herself in 'calculated, planned attack': Police
• Damaging wind, small hail possible as potential severe storms head our way
• Michael Vick to coach new professional football team coming to Atlanta

“Most people recover in about a week, but there are people who have more severe illnesses that require hospitalization,” said Dr. Laura Gieraltowski with the CDC. “We are seeing 54-percent in this outbreak are hospitalized, and that is higher than you would typically see in an E. coli outbreak, which is about 30-percent.”

The CDC advises everyone not to buy or eat romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region, traced as the source of contaminated lettuce.

"Avoid romaine lettuce right now, and if they can't tell where it was grown, don't eat it," said Gieraltowski.

Major grocery store chains have taken action to make their lettuce safe.

"My family does eat it, and I guess I should remind them to be careful," said shopper Anna Benson.

Benson told Channel 2 Action News she's concerned about the spike in the dangerous E. coli infection.

Publix told us prior and during the E. coli event, they have not sourced romaine lettuce from Arizona.

Kroger said the company has removed all recalled product from its shelves, adding they have partnered with suppliers to ensure all romaine lettuce has been sourced in safe growing areas according to the FDA.

Chick-fil-A sent Channel 2 Action News a statement Thursday afternoon saying they removed romaine lettuce from restaurants nationwide when the CDC sent out its initial warning. They said the romaine served in select restaurants is not sourced from Yuma, Arizona.

The statement said:

“Following the CDC’s expanded recommendation, we took action to proactively remove romaine lettuce from all restaurants nationwide. The romaine lettuce currently served in select restaurants is not sourced from Yuma, Arizona. Because of nationwide shortages, some items may be unavailable or prepared differently for the time-being.”

Cox Media Group