A national food safety law firm is planning to file lawsuits in connection with the Cyclospora outbreak Monday on behalf of women who allege they fell ill with Cyclosporiasis after eating at an Olive Garden restaurants in Nebraska and Iowa.
At least 442 people in 16 states have been diagnosed with Cyclosporiasis, the infection caused by the rare parasite Cyclospora. Health officials in two states, Iowa and Nebraska, established that the 232 cases in their states were caused by the same source, pre-packaged salad. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the salad was produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska.
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection include explosive diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, abdominal cramps, weight loss, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, fatigue and malaise. Dehydration, which is characterized by sunken eyes, a dry mouth and tongue, reduced urine output and tear production, can also occur.
A total of 442 cases of Cyclosporiasis have been reported in 16 states as of August 2, 2013. By state the case counts are as follows: Iowa (148), Texas (140), Nebraska (84), Florida (25), Wisconsin (12), Arkansas (8) New York (6), Illinois (4) Georgia (4), Missouri (3), Connecticut (2), Louisiana (2), Kansas (2), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1), Ohio (1).
