The Cyclospora outbreak in Iowa has sickened 148 people as of Friday, August 2. About 43 percent of those cases come from just two counties, Polk where Des Moines is located and Linn where Cedar Rapids is located.
Last week, health officials in Iowa and Nebraska identified prepackaged salad mix containing iceberg and romaine lettuces, carrots and red cabbage as the source of the outbreak in those states. A traceback investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then found that the source of the contaminated salad was Taylor Farms de Mexico food service salad served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska. The FDA said consumer packages sold in grocery stores are not affected, but did not say where else the tainted salad was distributed.
In Iowa, people in 39 counties have been sickened by the rare parasite. By county the breakdown is as follows: Linn (44), Polk (19), Dubuque (8), Pottawattamie (7), Dallas (7), Woodbury (6), Buchanan (5), Webster (4), Black Hawk (4), Boone (4), Fayette (4), O’brien (3), Des Moines (3), Jones (2), Mills (2), Story (2), Monona (2), Floyd (1), Winneshiek (1), Carroll (1), Cass (1), Union (1), Benton (1), Washington (1), Iowa (1), Cedar (1), Plymouth (1), Lucas (1), Johnson (1), Marshall (1), Dickinson (1), Hancock (1). Poweshiek (1), Wright (1), Keokuk (1), Allamakee (1), Van Buren (1), Butler (1) and Montgomery (1).
Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection can last as long as two months and 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. Anyone who has these symptoms should see a doctor.
