Soy Nut Butter Source of E coli Outbreak

Investigators from multiple institutions conducted an investigation to determine the source of a Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) O157:H7 outbreak. In February 2017, routine molecular-based sub-typing performed by the CDC on clinical isolates detected 7 STEC samples from 4 states with indistinguishable molecular patterns, suggesting a common source. State health departments, the CDC, and the FDA mobilized personnel and resources to identify the source.

A case was defined as a STEC infection in a person with illness onset between January and April 2017. Cases completed a standardized questionnaire about their demographics, clinical course, and exposure to >300 foods or animals the week before illness. Focused questionnaires were then used to further narrow the list of potential …