E. Coli Outbreak In Several States Possibly Tied To Wendy’s Transcript

Jesse Kirsch: (00:00) Tonight, E. coli sparking a Midwest mystery, possibly tied to the Wendy's fast food chain. The CDC reporting 37 people have gotten sick in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana since late July, with 10 people hospitalized. Dr. Amy Edwards: (00:14) It's a lot of people fast. I mean, we do normally get to kind of larger outbreaks, but it usually takes a little bit longer. Hillary Kaufman: (00:23) I felt awful. I was sitting there. I was holding my gut, rocking back and forth. Jesse Kirsch: (00:28) Hillary Kaufman says the bacteria landed her in the ER, adding now she's taking antibiotics. Where do you think you got infected? Hillary Kaufman: (00:37) Well, I honestly think it was Wendy's. Jesse Kirsch: (00:39) Authorities are still searching for the outbreak's cause, but the CDC says most reported eating at a Wendy's restaurant before getting sick, many specifically having sandwiches with romaine lettuce. James Rogers: (00:49) The produce industry has committed to working on various food safety measures. But to me, it suggests that they're not there yet, and there still needs more to be done. Jesse Kirsch: (01:01) But tonight, the CDC making clear it is not advising that people avoid eating at Wendy's restaurants or that people stop eating romaine lettuce. Still, the fast food chain pulled lettuce off its sandwiches in the region as a precaution. This sign at an Ohio restaurant today. We order drive-through at another. Okay. So I can see lettuce on the menu, so this sandwich has lettuce on the menu. No lettuce. In a statement Friday, Wendy's saying in part, "The lettuce that we use in our salads is different and is not affected by this action. As a company, we are committed to upholding our high standards of food safety and quality." The CDC says the company is fully cooperating with investigators, reminding the public that severe symptoms include diarrhea and a fever above 102 degrees, dehydration and vomiting. So broadly speaking, if you're worried, call your Doctor. Dr. Amy Edwards: (01:54) Absolutely. Jesse Kirsch: (01:55) Jose, the CDC says people as young as six and as old as 91 got sick, adding that with some not getting tested, it's likely the number of cases is even higher. Meanwhile, the CDC says investigators are now trying to determine if the suspicious lettuce was used by any other businesses. Jose. Speaker 5: (02:13) Jesse Kirsch, thank you. Speaker 6: (02:16) Thanks for watching our YouTube channel. Follow today's top stories and breaking news by downloading the NBC News app.