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...]
Jewel Osco Signature Farms Salad Recall For Cyclospora Updated
The recall of Jewel Osco Signature Farms salad for cyclospora contamination has been updated because the facility code in the original recall notice was incorrect. That code was "S5417", but it is actually "S5424." The salad was made by Fresh Express at their facility in Streamwood, Illinois. There is a multistate cyclospora outbreak potentially linked to this product and several other salads, all produced by Fresh Express, that were sold in states around the country. The states with illnesses are Iowa (74), Illinois (57), Kansas (1), Minnesota (25), Missouri (10), Nebraska (20), North Dakota (6), and Wisconsin (13). Those numbers are current as of June 29, 2020 and may change soon. At least 23 people are hospitalized because they are so sick. The recalled Jewel Osco Signature Farms … [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...]
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...]
Illinois Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to ALDI HyVee Jewel Salads Sickens 30
The Illinois cyclospora outbreak that is linked to ALDI, Hy Vee, and Jewel Osco garden salads produced by Fresh Express has sickened at least 30 people in that state, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The last update by that department was on June 20, 2020 and stated 23 illnesses, but the FDA and CDC have updated the case counts since then. Illinois officials and the CDC and FDA have stated that these may not be the only products linked to this outbreak. IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement, "Although a link has been made to Cyclospora in some Illinois cases, public health officials continue to investigate other sources. If you consumed store brand packaged garden salads since May and then developed watery diarrhea, please contact a health care … [Read more...]
Recall of ALDI Little Salad Bar Garden Salad For Cyclospora Updated
The recall of ALDI Little Salad Bar Garden Salad has been updated to include more information. This product is potentially linked to a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least 122 people in 7 states. There is no picture of the product available. The recalled product is ALDI Little Salad Bar Garden Salads that have use by dates of May 16 to July 4, 2020. The previous use by dates were May 1 to June 29, 2020. All product codes of the salad are recalled. The salads were sold in ALDI stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin between May 1 and June 19, 2020. The people sickened in this outbreak live in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wisconsin. The salad was produced … [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...]
