Almost 80 people have now been sickened in a cyclospora outbreak after eating at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant on Big Island Drive near the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida, according to news reports. There is no information about this outbreak on the Duval County Health Department website. Many of those sickened have tested positive for cyclospora, which is a parasite that is often linked to fresh produce and can cause debilitating symptoms that may last for weeks. The restaurant, in a statement, said that the illnesses may be linked to fresh produce. Many of those sickened said they had a salad at the restaurant. Previous cyclospora outbreaks in the United States have been linked to raspberries, mesclun lettuce, cilantro, and last year to McDonald's salads … [Read more...]
Alleged Cyclospora Outbreak at Cooper’s Hawk Winery in Jacksonville, FL
News outlets are reporting that an alleged cyclospora outbreak has occurred after people ate at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, located in the Markets at Town Center near the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida. People who belong to the Exchange Club held a banquet at that venue last month. Illnesses started in mid-June. Some of the restaurant's patrons still have symptoms, which is not unusual with cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by this parasite. Patients can be sick for weeks or months, and the illness can seem to resolve and then recur without warning. The Duval County Health Department is sending a survey to people who were at the restaurant last month and is examining lab tests. Results may not be back for several days. Several of the people who … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Cyclospora Outbreak Was Number One in 2018
The McDonald's cyclospora outbreak was the number one outbreak of 2018, with 511 people in 16 states sickened. Twenty four people were hospitalized because they were so sick. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence found that salads purchased from McDonald's were "one likely source of this outbreak." The FDA did not name other sources. On July 26, 2018, the FDA completed analysis of an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix that was distributed to McDonald's by the Fresh Express processor in Streamwood, Illinois. They confirmed the presence of the cyclospora parasite in the sample. However, the FDA did not identify a single source of point of contamination for this outbreak. The patient case count by state was: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (99), Illinois (274), … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak: Number 4 in 2018
The Del Monte Cyclospora outbreak was the fourth largest multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2018, with 250 people sick in 4 states. The outbreak was linked to pre-packaged vegetable trays. The case count by state was: Michigan (1), Iowa (9), Minnesota (62), and Wisconsin (177). Illness onset dates ranged from May 14, 2018 to June 20, 2018. The patient age range was from 13 to 79. Eight people were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported. Most people bought these vegetable trays at Kwik Trip convenience stores, which are located in the upper Midwest. On June 15, 2018, Del Monte Fresh Produce recalled 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce pre-packaged vegetable trays that contained broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and dill dip. Based on traceback evidence, officials could not … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Fresh Express McDonald’s Cyclospora Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Fresh Express McDonald's cyclospora outbreak. This outbreak appears to be over as of September 11, 2018. A total of 511 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in people who ate salads ordered from the fast food chain. While the FDA did find that a sample of the Fresh Express romaine and carrot mix distributed to McDonald's restaurants was contaminated with the cyclospora parasite, they did not identify a single source of point of contamination in this outbreak. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (99), Illinois (274), Indiana (10), Kentucky (9), Michigan (2), Minnesota (11), Missouri (52), Nebraska (5), New York City (1), Ohio (16), South Dakota (18), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (10). The … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Fresh Express Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Ends; Lawsuits Filed
The McDonald's Fresh Express salad cyclospora outbreak appears to be over, according to the CDC. As of September 11, 2018, 551 people are sick in 15 states and New York City. They consumed "a variety of salads" from McDonald's restaurants in the Midwest. Twenty-four people were hospitalized because they were so sick. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence showed that salads purchased from McDonald's restaurants were the likely source of this outbreak. The salad supplier, Fresh Express, provided an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix that was distributed to McDonald's; FDA analysis confirmed the presence of the cyclospora parasite in that sample. No single source or point of contamination for this outbreak was found. The FDA investigated distribution and supplier … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 250 Sick; Lawsuits Filed
The Del Monte cyclospora outbreak has ended after sickening 250 people, according to the FDA and CDC. Those sickened ate pre-packaged Del Monte Vegetable Trays. FDA evaluated and reviewed the distribution and supplier information for every component of the vegetable trays. he investigation did not reveal a single source or potential point of contamination for any of the items that were in those trays. Eight people were hospitalized in this Del Monte cyclospora outbreak because they were so sick. The patients live in four states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The case count by state is: Michigan (1), Iowa (9), Minnesota (62), and Wisconsin (177). Del Monte recalled their 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce vegetable trays during different dates in June 2018. … [Read more...]
Illinois Hit Hard by McDonald’s Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak; Lawsuits Filed
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. … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Fresh Express Salad Mix Cyclospora Outbreak Grows Again; Lawsuits Are Filed
The McDonald's Fresh Express Salad cyclospora outbreak has grown again, according to the FDA. As of August 23, 2018, 507 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in people who ate salads served at McDonald's restaurants. Those sickened live in 15 states and New York City. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (99), Illinois (273), Indiana (9), Kentucky (8), Michigan (2), Minnesota (11), Missouri (52), Nebraska (5), New York City (1), Ohio (15), South Dakota (18), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (1). The patients in Connecticut, New York City, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida purchased McDonald's salads in other states. Twenty-four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. FDA is reviewing distribution and … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Fresh Express Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 476; Lawsuits Are Filed
The McDonald's Fresh Express cyclospora outbreak linked to their salads has now sickened 476 people, according to the FDA. These ill persons live in 15 states. Twenty-one people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Iowa (98), Illinois (246), Indiana (8), Kentucky (8), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (52), Nebraska (5), Ohio (15), South Dakota (18), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (10). The patients in Connecticut, Tennessee, Virginia, and Florida purchased McDonald's salads while traveling in another state. In the investigation, FDA officials analyzed an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix produced by Fresh Express in Streamwood, Illinois. They found cyclospora in the product. Fresh Express told the FDA … [Read more...]
