The state of Nebraska has been hard hit in the Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 400 in 16 states. As of August 2, 2013, there are 84 people sick in that state, most in the eastern part. The counties of Douglas, with 47 cases, and Sarpy/Cass, with 11 cases, have the most illnesses.
The cases in Nebraska have been linked to salad mix by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., which makes foodservice salads that were served at local Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Taylor Farms de Mexico is located in Salinas, north of Mexico City. The states of Nebraska and Iowa have the most cases: 232 in all. But the 210 cases in other states have not been conclusively linked to the Nebraska/Iowa outbreak, or to Taylor Farms products.
Taylor Farms de Mexico has been cooperating with the FDA. American health officials will be conducting an environmental assessment of the facility in Mexico to see if they can discover the outbreak’s cause and identify preventive controls to put in place. The last time the facility was inspected by U.S. officials was in 2011, when FDA inspectors found “no notable issues.” The FDA is increasing surveillance on Mexican leafy green imports as a result of this outbreak.
Officials in Nebraska say they think the contaminated salad is no longer in the food supply, since it has a shelf life of up to two weeks. If you ate at Olive Garden or Red Lobster and have been suffering the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, including watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, weight loss, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting, and nausea, see your doctor. A cyclospora infection is diagnosed with a very specific test that must be requested by your doctor.
