As of May 21, 2014, seven confirmed and three probable cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 (STEC O121) infection have been reported in Idaho and Washington.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Idaho (3) and Washington (7).
Fifty percent of ill persons have been hospitalized. No ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths have been reported.
Results from initial state and local epidemiologic investigations indicate a link to eating raw clover sprouts.
In interviews, nine (90%) of ten ill persons reported eating raw clover sprouts in the week before becoming ill.
Preliminary traceback investigations indicate that contaminated raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC of Idaho is the likely source of this outbreak of STEC O121 infections.
The Washington State Department of Health and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare are advising people not to eat raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts.
This investigation is active and ongoing and CDC will update the public when more information becomes available.