Video: 9 cases of E. coli linked to contaminated lettuce

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OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Department of Health says nine confirmed cases of E.coli infection found in north Thurston and south Pierce counties have been traced to bagged, commercial romaine lettuce.

Health officials say it's not the same type of lettuce you would buy in a grocery store.

The Health Department says four cases of E.coli infection were identified in Thurston County, and six in Pierce County. Some of the people infected were hospitalized. Health department officials are interviewing the victims.

"This particular strain is not very rare. It's a common one. We see it fairly often. The thing that's unusual about this is having several of the same strain all happening at the same time," said Don Moyer, health department spokesperson.

The people who got sick all had salad or lettuce at different places, which means all of those places probably got their lettuce from a single source.

As health officials work to track down that source, there is good news. All of the incidents happened in May and it's been more than a week since the last one. Lettuce has a short shelf life, so the contaminated lettuce was probably out of the food chain by the time the cases were reported.

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection may include abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea.

Washing fresh fruits and vegetables can help prevent illness.