(UPDATED COVERAGE, Jan. 10) Health officials in Hamilton County, Ohio, say a small, localized outbreak of E. coli linked to leafy greens in mid-December is over and they have closed the investigation.
Mike Samet, public information officer with the county health department, said the common denominator for the people who got sick was consumption of leafy greens at a local Longhorn Steakhouse.
There were five lab-confirmed cases and one “probable case” of E. coli Dec. 10-15. Samet said all six people have recovered.
“We expect no more cases and the investigation is closed,” Samet said Jan. 9.
He said the county health department did not pursue further traceback on the leafy greens.
Officials with Darden Restaurants, Orlando, Fla., which is the parent company of Longhorn Steakhouse, said they conducted their own investigation and there was “no definitive link to leafy greens in this case.”
Erica Jaeger, company spokeswoman, said the county health department did not test any product from the restaurant.
“There is absolutely no health risk to the public and it is perfectly safe to eat in this restaurant,” Jaeger said. “The health and safety of our guests and employees is our No. 1 priority.”
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