The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that foodservice salad from Taylor Farms de Mexico served at Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska was the source of a Cyclospora outbreak that sickened 232 people in those states. Now, what about the 210 people in 14 other states who have also been sickened by the rare parasite?
A total of 442 cases of Cyclospora infection have been reported from sixteen state health departments. With the 148 cases in Iowa and the 84 cases in Nebraska solved, that still leaves 210 cases in the following states: Texas (140), 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).
Federal and state authorities have said from the beginning that they are not sure if all of the cases are connected to those in Iowa an Nebraska. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services said in an outbreak update yesterday that the 140 cases in that state “may be linked to an ongoing multistate Cyclospora outbreak in Iowa and Nebraska. No common exposure source for this outbreak has been identified.” Florida’s Department of Health has also said that they have found no common exposures among their 25 case patients despite interviews with each of them that included the completion of a detailed 14-page questionnaire. And yes, it includes questions about iceberg and romaine lettuce, pre-packaged salad, restaurants in general, and several in particular.
Where does that leave things? What we know is that Cyclospora is rare and usually associated with tropical or sub-tropical regions. Over the last five years, an annual average of 147 cases of Cyclosporiasis have been reported nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So, a spike in cases is unusual. Arkansas, for example, had one reported case until July 31 when seven additional cases were reported. That number is above the average, according Ed Barham, a public information officer with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). “In comparison, in the years 2009-2012, ADH received only one single report of Cyclospora infection. We are currently collecting food history on our new cases. However, given the rarity of this infection in Arkansas, these cases are most likely related to the national outbreak.”
