For some reason, Illinois is the state that is hardest hit by the McDonald’s Fresh Express Cyclospora outbreak. At least 273 people out of the 507 sickened in this huge outbreak live in Illinois. In total, 24 people have been hospitalized because their symptoms were so severe.
The rest of the people affected by this outbreak live in Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Officials have not explained why, even though McDonald’s sells salads in their restaurants throughout the country, the outbreak has centered on the midwest.
The FDA investigation has zeroed in on a Fresh Express salad mix containing romaine lettuce and carrots that was distributed to McDonald’s. Investigators found cyclospora parasites in that sample. Fresh Express told the FDA that romaine lettuce was also sold to Caito Foods, which used the product to make beef, pork, and poultry salads and wrap products that were recalled on July 30, 2018.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who filed lawsuits for many clients sickened with cyclospora infections, said, “No one should get sick just because they ate a salad for lunch.” Call 1-888-377-8900 or 612-338-0202 for help.
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing clients sickened in this outbreak, said, “Cyclospora outbreaks are on the rise in this country. This parasite is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. Food producers and distributors need to find a way to eliminate this parasite before it makes so many people sick.”
McDonald’s has since found a new supplier for ingredients they use top make those salads. They stopped selling salads at their restaurants in the outbreak states on July 13, 2018. No McDonald’s products have been recalled.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness. The parasite isn’t passed person-to-person because it needs time after it is excreted in feces to become infectious. That means that the foods contaminated with this parasite have come into contact with human feces or contaminated water.
The symptoms of a cyclospora food poisoning infection include watery and explosive diarrhea that can last for weeks or months. Other symptoms include stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, body aches, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If this infection isn’t treated, symptoms can last for months.
