The Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak that is linked to bagged salad mix containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage produced by Fresh Express has now sickened at least 509 people in 8 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of 303 cases since the last update that was issued on June 29, 2020. The epi curve, shown above, graphs the illness onset dates in this outbreak. The curve is going down, which is good news. The lag between illness onset date and the date the government is informed about the illness is due to the time the patient gets sick, sees a doctor, is tested, and gets the test results. This takes an average of four to six weeks. The case count by state is: Iowa (160), Illinois (151), Kansas (5), Minnesota … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 509 in 8 states 33 Hospitalized
Fresh Express Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Has Sickened 509 in 8 States
According to the FDA, the Fresh Express salad cyclospora outbreak has sickened at least 509 people in 8 states as of July 8, 2020. That's an increase of more than 300 new cases since the last update on June 29, 2020. Thirty-three people are hospitalized because they are so ill. There is also a cyclospora outbreak in Canada, with exposure to certain Fresh Express salad products as a likely source of these infections. The case count by state is: Iowa (160), Illinois (151), Kansas (5), Minnesota (63), Missouri (46), Nebraska (48), North Dakota (6), and Wisconsin (30). The illness onset dates rate from 5/11/2020 to 7/1/2020. The investigation includes Fresh Express salads containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots that were sold in several regions of the United States. The … [Read more...]
Think You Have Cyclospora? Here’s What to Ask Your Doctor About Testing
A multistate cyclospora outbreak has sickened at least 206 people across the Midwest. The outbreak is potentially linked to bagged salads containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots that was produced by Fresh Express and allegedly sold at Hy Vee, Giant Eagle, ShopRite, ALDI, Walmart, and Jewel Osco stores in many states. So do you think you have cyclospora? Here's what to ask your doctor about testing. First, the stool test for cyclospora has to be specially requested. It's not a common test that is routinely conducted. Anecdotal evidence we have heard is that many people are told by their doctors that their is no need for a test, or that there is no test for this parasite. Both of these statements are false. For the best outcome, a test definitively finding cyclospora … [Read more...]
If You Have Cyclospora Symptoms, Please Get Tested For the Parasite
For many reasons, probably including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, these days many people are reluctant to go to the doctor if they are sick. This can lead to disastrous consequences. In the field of food poisoning, these patients may be misdiagnosed, go undiagnosed, and may suffer permanent lifelong health consequences if not treated. If you have cyclospora symptoms, please get tested for the parasite. There is an ongoing cyclospora outbreak in the U.S. that is linked to recalled Fresh Express bagged salads. The salads were sold at these stores: Hy Vee, Giant Eagle, ShopRite, ALDI, Walmart, and Jewel Osco in many states. At least 206 people in 8 states in the midwest are sick. The case count by states as of June 29, 2020 is: Iowa (74), Illinois (57), Kansas (1), Minnesota … [Read more...]
Giant Eagle and ShopRite Sold Fresh Express Bagged Salads
The FDA now says that Giant Eagle and ShopRite sold Fresh Express made bagged salads that are potentially linked to the cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least 206 people in eight states. The salads contain iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. The recalled brands are ALDI Little Salad Bar, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco Signature Farms, Giant Eagle, ShopRite Wholesome Pantry, and Walmart Marketside, and include Fresh Express branded salads. The recalled products all have the product code Z178 or lower number. You can find the product code on the upper right hand corner of the front of each package. They were sold in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, … [Read more...]
Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak: Walmart Product Added, 206 Sick
The bagged salad cyclospora outbreak has been updated by the FDA. A new product has been added to the list of salads in the outbreak: Walmart's Marketside Classic Iceberg Salad sold in 12 and 24 ounce sizes. The FDA has named Fresh Express as the producer of these salads. And there are now 206 people in 8 states sick in this outbreak. North Dakota has been added to the outbreak list. The case count by state is: Iowa (74), Illinois (57), Kansas (1), Minnesota (25), Missouri (10), Nebraska (20), North Dakota (6), and Wisconsin (13). Twenty-three people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. And the illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 through June 17, 2020. The bagged salad products potentially linked to this outbreak include ALDI Little Salad Bar Garden Salads, … [Read more...]
Recent Cyclospora Outbreaks in U.S. Sicken Thousands Linked to Produce
It's just like clockwork. Every summer, at least one cyclospora outbreak is announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These outbreaks are always linked to fresh produce that does not go through a kill step such as heating before consumers eat it. Let's look back at the recent cyclospora outbreaks in the U.S. First, Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that uses a human host to reproduce and travel. When a person ingests a major oocyst, it breaks apart in the intestine, causes damage, and uses human cells to reproduce. It is excreted in feces, where it matures in the environment, contaminates food through waste in the fields, contamination along the food chain, or contaminated irrigation water, and the process repeats. Cyclospora Outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Where Were Bagged Salads Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak Sold?
The first known cyclospora outbreak of the 2020 season in the U.S. linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco salads has sickened at least 122 people in 7 states, as of June 23, 2020. Nineteen people have been hospitalized. Where were those bagged salads linked to cyclospora illnesses sold? Are people in other states at risk? While there are illness in just seven of the twelve states where the salads were sold, people living in the states without an outbreak still need to discard those products and should monitor their health for the symptoms of cyclosporiasis if they ate them. And it's important to know that the FDA says that these products could have been distributed to more states and retailers than are currently known. Hy Vee Garden Salads were sold in their stores in Iowa, … [Read more...]
ALDI Hy Vee Jewel Osco Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak 122 Sick
The ALDI Hy Vee Jewel Osco bagged salad cyclospora outbreak has now sickened at least 122 people in 7 states, according to the latest update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 46 more patients since June 20, 2020, and Wisconsin has been added to the state list. Nineteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient case count by state is: Iowa (54), Illinois (30), Kansas (1), Minnesota (13), Missouri (7), Nebraska (8), and Wisconsin (9). The illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 through June 15, 2020. The patient age range is from 16 to 92 years. The bagged salad mixes linked to this outbreak are ALDI Little Salad Bar brand Garden Salad sold in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, … [Read more...]
FDA Updates ALDI Jewel Osco Hy Vee Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak
The FDA has updated the ALDI Jewel Osco Hy Vee bagged salad cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least 76 people in 6 midwest states. Hy-Vee has posted a recall of some of its garden salads on the FDA web site. ALDI and Jewel Osco have also listed recalls, but on their corporate sites only. The most significant changes to report are that the number of states where these products were probably sold has increased, along with details about the recalled salads. The recalled salads are potentially linked to the multistate Cyclospora outbreak by the FDA. The "garden salads" in question contain iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers shouldn't to sell or serve these recalled salads. The Hy-Vee garden salad was sold in Iowa, … [Read more...]
