According to the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table, a new cyclospora outbreak has been identified, in addition to the outbreak that has been on the table for weeks. In the new outbreak, 29 people are sick. In the ongoing outbreak, at least 104 people are now sick. No food has been identified in either outbreak. Every year since 2013, hundreds of Americans are sickened with cyclospora outbreaks in the summer and this year is no exception. The CDC says that there are currently at least 462 people sick with domestically-acquired cyclospora infections in this country; 41 people have been hospitalized. The FDA outbreaks are part of that total, since on the table each outbreak has an asterisk that states "This cluster represents a subset of the total number of domestically-acquired … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Overall Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: 462 Sick in 28 States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their overall cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation for 2021. At least 462 people in 28 states are sick. Part of this outbreak is noted on the FDA's Outbreak Investigation Table. Eighty three people are now sick in that outbreak, which does not have an identified food source, although traceback has been initiated. The case count has increased by 254 since the last update on July 14, 2021. Cases continue to be reported to the CDC. All 462 patients, whose illnesses have been laboratory-confirmed, had no history of international travel during the 14 day period before illness onset. Illness onset dates range from May 1, 2021 to July 16, 2021. At least 41 people have been hospitalized. At least one cyclospora outbreak … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Outbreak Grows to 62 Sick; No Food Identified Yet
On the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table, the cyclospora outbreak grows to 62 sick, with no food identified yet. Traceback has been initiated, and samples are being tested, but no outbreak investigation information has been released by the FDA or the CDC. Those 62 patients are only a subsection of the total number of cyclospora illnesses in the country this summer. Every year since 2013, there have been large Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States. This illness used to be limited to tropical regions, with the only U.S. cases among those who traveled to those areas of the globe. But now the parasite is contaminating food imported from other countries and food grown in this country. There is currently one recall of produce for possible cyclospora contamination: Dole … [Read more...]
Three New Outbreaks on FDA Table: Cyclospora, E. coli, and Salmonella
Three new outbreaks were announced on the FDA Table of Outbreak Investigations: One was caused by Cyclospora, the second by E. coli O121, and the third by Salmonella Typhimurium. UPDATE: One of these outbreaks, the Salmonella outbreak, has a suspect food attached to it. In the cyclospora outbreak, at least 32 people are sick. The notice states that this number represents a subset of the total number of domestically-acquired cases of cyclosporiasis illnesses in the U.S. Traceback has been initiated, and sample analysis and testing has taken place. This is encouraging, because the FDA may know what has caused this outbreak. Stay tuned, since a recall or outbreak investigation notice may be issued soon. In the E. coli O121 outbreak, at least 15 ill persons have been identified. No … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Cyclospora Prevention Response and Research Action Plan
The FDA has released its Cyclospora Prevention Response and Action Plan, developed after 6,000 Americans were sickened with cyclosporiasis in the last three years. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The number of reported cases has been rising in this country over the past few years, due in part to better diagnostic testing methods.These outbreaks are always linked to fresh produce that the consumer does not heat or cook before serving, so the parasite survives from farm to table. These outbreaks typically occur in the spring and summer months, from May through August. In 2020, a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Fresh Express bagged salads sickened more than 700 people in 14 states. In 2019, there were six outbreaks: An outbreak that was … [Read more...]
Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak is Number Two Outbreak of 2020
The bagged salad cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 701 people in 14 states is the number two multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020. Thirty-eight people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The bagged salad was produced by Fresh Express and contained carrots, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Illinois (211), Iowa (206), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (7), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (47). Illness onset dates ranged from May 11, 2020 through July 24, 2020. The patient age range is from 11 years to 92 years. Exposures were reported in these 13 states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, … [Read more...]
Canadian Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 370 Sick
The Canadian bagged salad cyclospora outbreak has ended, according to Public Health Canada, with at least 370 sick in six provinces, as of November 4, 2020. Exposure to some Fresh Express brand salad products were identified as a "likely source" for some of the illnesses in this outbreak. The notice states that "the outbreak appears to be over and the investigation is winding down." There was a similar cyclospora outbreak in the United States this summer. That outbreak, which sickened at least 701 people, was also associated with Fresh Express salad products that were made with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Some of the recalled brand names in the United States included ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. In Canada, the patient case count by … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Ends, According to CDC
The Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak has ended, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with at least 701 people sick in 14 states. Thirty eight people were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Illinois (211), Iowa (206), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (7), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (47). Illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 through July 24, 2020. The patient age range is from 11 year to 92 years. Exposures were reported in these 13 states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 701 Sick
The Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak has ended with 701 sick, according to an update by the FDA. Thirty eight people have been hospitalized; there were no deaths reported. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Illinois (211), Iowa (206), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (4), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (7), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (47). Illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 through July 24, 2020. The outbreak was linked to Fresh Express salad products that were made with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Many products were recalled, including Fresh Express branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands including ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, … [Read more...]
What Happened to the Fresh Express Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak?
It has been almost a month since the FDA or CDC has updated the Fresh Express bagged salad cyclospora outbreak. The last update in the U.S., published on August 14, 2020, listed 690 people sick in 13 states, with Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois hardest hit. Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized. In Canada, where the last update was posted on July 8, 2020, 37 people in three provinces were sick. Fresh Express recalled products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, or carrots with the product code Z178 or lower in June 2020, with more updates issued later. The salads were sold under several brand names, including ALDI, Hy Vee, Jewel Osco, Walmart, Giant Eagle, and ShopRite. The best by dates on the recalled products ran through July 14, 2020. Based on traceback, the carrots are … [Read more...]
