Health officials in both Canada and the U.S. are telling people not to eat romaine lettuce because of a new E. coli outbreak affecting both countries.  

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the outbreak has made 15 people in Quebec and three in Ontario sick.  Six of them needed to be hospitalized.

So far, no deaths have been reported but one person suffered severe complications.

The E. coli strain that's been identified appears to be similar to one that was linked to leafy greens last year.  

Canada's Food Inspection Agency is working with the U.S. to try to determine where the romaine lettuce came from that people were exposed to and got ill.

If the contaminated products are identified in Canada, the agency says it will take the steps needed to protect the public, including recalling the product.  

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