The Minnesota Department of Health has identified 35 lab-confirmed cases of cyclospora that are associated with three Minnesota restaurants in different areas of the state. Basil is implicated in these illnesses, according to Doug Schultz, Information Officer for the DOH. This Minnesota cyclospora outbreak may be linked to the multistate cyclospora outbreak announced by the FDA yesterday, but we don’t know for sure. In the multi-state outbreak, 132 people in 11 states are sick.
There are 26 lab-confirmed cases associated with City Market in Rochester, 4 lab-confirmed cases associated with Outback Steakhouse in Hermantown, and 5 lab-confirmed cases associated with a conference held in Duluth that was catered by Duluth Grill. Minnesota is one of the states named in the FDA outbreak announcement that has “exposures at restaurants.”
Cyclospora outbreaks have been happening in the U.S. every summer for the past few years. Last year a huge outbreak linked to McDonald’s salads sickened more than 500 people. And another, separate 2018 cyclospora outbreak that was linked to pre-packaged Del Monte vegetable trays sold at Kwik Trip stores in the Midwest sickened 250 people.
This parasite is endemic to tropical and sub-tropical regions around the globe. People usually get sick when they visit those areas. But the parasite has made its way to the U.S. through contaminated produce. Previous outbreaks have been linked to raspberries, mesclun, cilantro, and basil.
You can contact Minneapolis food safety attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 6121-338-0202 or 1-888-377-8900.
Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker, who has represented many clients sickened with cyclosporiasis said, “No one should get sick just because they decided to eat out at a restaurant. These patients can be sick for months through absolutely no fault of their own.”
The symptoms of cyclospora food poisoning include explosive and watery diarrhea that can occur without warning, weight loss, stomach cramps and pain, bloating, increased gas, and loss of appetite. People can be sick for weeks or months if this infection is not treated.
If you have been experiencing these symptoms and have eaten at any of these specific restaurants, see your doctor; you may be part of this Minnesota cyclospora outbreak. The test for cyclospora must be specially requested by a doctor, as it is usually not included in a general workup.
