Feds Join Probe of E. Coli Breakout

The Associated Press (via Adelphia.net) ^ | Justin M. Norton

[truthkeeper]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal agents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intervened this weekend to help investigate an E. coli outbreak tied to tainted spinach from California's Central Valley.

The greens, which appear to be grown by the world's largest producer of organic produce, have sickened 102 people, including the death of a 77-year-old woman, according to health officials.

CDC officials said Sunday they've started an Atlanta-based emergency operations center to help state health agencies with E. coli testing. Epidemiologists are helping test spinach samples and stool samples of those who have been infected, center spokeswoman Lola Russell said.

[tiki]

it just dawned on me this morning that e-coli would be something a terrorist could accomplish.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

It seemed suspicious from the start.. Islamofascists making good on some of their many threats?

[Enchante]

"the world's largest producer of organic produce"

"Organic" hmmmm..... Do farmers using pesticides offer better protection against e coli? I'd guess there are plenty of bugs killed by eviiillll chemicals that "organic" farmers won't get rid of, but I don't know what does or doesn't kill e coli.

The closest I usually get to a farm is my grocery store.....

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/site/modules/news/article.php?storyid=586

[cricket]

it just dawned on me this morning that e-coli would be something a terrorist could accomplish.

. . .was my first thought; and one I keep coming back to.

The only thing that makes it dubious in my mind at least, thus far is the fact that they usually feel compelled to take the 'credit'.

OTOH. . .

[pillut48]

Bioterrorism? I wouldn't put it past the Islamofascists to do something of this sort...but spinach?! Seems like lettuce would reach many more people than spinach.

[tiki]

What made me think it this morning was a Fox report that a couple of farmers were telling him how devastating this is for the farmers and the overall economy in that area and that a safe food supply is a matter of national security. They also reported that they have been investigating an e-coli break-out involving lettuce for 2 yrs.

[Anselma]

e. coli? Isn't that spread in poop? I wouldn't be probing too closely, here.

[air pappy]

I don't do organic.

Wifey made an excellent salad with spinach tonight. Very good.

[UB355]

The reporting and alerting system seems to be improved

[pillut48]

Dude, have you seen *this*?? U.S. expands warning to cover all fresh spinach

[Steely Tom]

The only thing that makes it dubious in my mind at least, thus far is the fact that they usually feel compelled to take the 'credit'.

No one stepped up to take credit for the anthrax attacks.

[operation clinton cleanup]

it just dawned on me this morning that e-coli would be something a terrorist could accomplish.

Or maybe illegal immigrants not using indoor plumbing on the job.

[air pappy]

thanks for the link. Yup, it's worrisome. Publix supplied us with the fresh spinach.

[pillut48]

We'll say a prayer for you and your family, yikes!
It's pretty bad when you can't trust your dinner salad! :-(

[brytlea]

Maybe lettuce is more difficult to infect? I have no idea, just a thought.
On the other hand, I think it's equally possible this is not terrorism, but just one of those things. There was a case in which some sort of veggies caused illness (e coli I think) because a sewer line was leaking into the irrigation system (or something like that).
susie

[stm]

It's already been done. The Rashneeshi's poisoned salad bars with E. coli in OR back in the 1980's

[OldFriend]

Tampering came to mind when the 'authorities' couldn't nail down the source of the outbreak.

[OldFriend]

Pesticides or the lack thereof have nothing to do with e coli.