Although the CDC is still reporting only 29 ill in Ohio and Michigan total. On the ground in the states there are different numbers.

The Ohio Department of Health said cases had been reported in Wood, Lucas, Mahoning, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lorain, and Summit counties. Thus far Wood county has reported 20 illnesses.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and three local health departments – Kent, Ottawa and Oakland – are investigating a recent increase in the number of illnesses related to E. coli bacteria.  Thus far MDHHA has reported 98 illnesses.

Although ground beef may still be a possibility for the vector of the outbreak (HUS used to be called “the hamburger disease”), it seems unlikely in 2022 we would be seeing that much undercooking occurring across such a wide geographical area. In addition, although the first decade of my practice was hamburger and E. coli, the last two decades have been leafy greens and E. coli. Also, the epi curve seems a bit tight – July 26 to August 6 – which to me argues for a perishable product. However, with the CDC reporting 38% of the illnesses are women, that argues against leafy greens as most outbreaks involving leafy greens have 60% or more being women.

My bet is leafy greens.

E. coli outbreaks associated with lettuce, specifically the “pre-washed” and “ready-to-eat” varieties, are by no means a new phenomenon. In fact, the frequency with which this country’s fresh produce consuming public has been hit by outbreaks of pathogenic bacteria is astonishing. Here are just a sample of E. coli outbreaks based on information gathered by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Kansas State University, Barf Blog and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: