Illinois reports 2 cases of Shiga-toxin related to romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Public health officials report that two Illinois residents are among nearly three dozen people affected by a strain of E. coli bacteria in romaine lettuce.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Tuesday on data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reports that 32 people in 11 states have been infected with the same Shiga-toxin strain of E. coli.

Officials are advising consumers not to eat romaine lettuce and restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell any.

People with romaine lettuce in their homes should throw it away even if some of it has been eaten and no one has become sick. This includes whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and packages of precut lettuce and mixes that contain romaine.