This page includes a list of frequently asked questions about the ongoing outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California. Most strains are harmless but a few strains that live inside of livestock, deer and other animals can be deadly to humans. Alaska is now facing the problem of determining the source of contaminated E. coli lettuce. Scientists Trace A Surprising Source : The Salt Vegetable farmers in Yuma, Ariz., are asking whether they … It's relatively easy for E. coli to infect beef during processing, especially if the contents of a cow's intestines come into contact with meat, cutting utensils or surfaces. Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse says E. coli bacteria can create some stomach-turning symptoms, like abdominal pain and nausea. This page includes a list of frequently asked questions about the ongoing outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California. "Most commonly, we hear about it in raw or undercooked hamburger meat." What Sparked An E. Coli Outbreak In Lettuce? If you fear your lettuce might be contaminated with E. coli, there is no point in trying to wash the bacteria away - just throw it out, say the doctors on the National's heath panel. Washing romaine lettuce won't rid it of E. coli, experts say amid an outbreak that's already sickened 32 people across multiple states. But it can get even worse. Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that live in human and animal intestines. E. coli infects meat more often than vegetables because it lives in the intestines of mammals, including cows. "There’s a specific type of E. coli. This list will be updated as more information becomes available. "E. coli stands for Escherichia coli, which is a type of bacteria." Most of the 84 people grew ill after eating at restaurants that use bagged, pre-chopped lettuce in their salads. From E. coli types and what they do to how E. coli gets into our food, particularly into lettuce, what symptoms to look out for, what side effects to expect and what to do about it, we’ll try to cover everything that’s important about the subject in a simple and hopefully, pertinent, discussion.