A Cyclospora outbreak questionnaire used by health officials in Florida asks if the outbreak victim ate at a restaurant prior to illness. The purpose of the questionnaire is to determine the source of a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections which has sickened hundreds of people in Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, and Ohio. Iowa alone has over 140 cases.
The Iowa Department of Health stated today that the Cyclospora outbreak has been linked to a prepackaged salad mix containing iceberg and Romaine lettuce, carrots and red cabbage. The food trace back investigation performed by Iowa health offials determined that at least 80 percent of its 143 cases had been exposed to the same prepackaged salad mix.
“Many victims of this outbreak lost income because they could not work,” said Attorney Fred Pritzker, a national food safety lawyer who has been contacted by victims. “Past foodborne outbreaks have been linked to bagged lettuce, and companies need to take measures to make sure it is safe before serving it to customers.” Pritzker is providing free consultations to victims of this outbreak.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes watery diarrhea that lasts an average of 57 days if untreated. The illness is called cyclosporiasis.
“A Cyclospora food poisoning lawsuit against a restaurant should seek compensation for hospital and other medical expenses, lost wages, pain, emotional distress and other lawful damages,” said Pritzker.
