Health officials are still investigating the cause of an outbreak of Cyclospora infections (cyclosporiasis) that has sickened people in 17 states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (including New York City), Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. One tool investigators are using is outbreak questionnaires. Outbreak victims answer the questions. The answers are then analyzed to determine if there is any food or location that connects the illnesses. In Iowa and Nebraska, health officials found a link between Taylor Farms salad mix served at restaurants and the illnesses. The FDA said this salad mix was served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in those states. Cyclospora victims … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Outbreak Questionnaire Asks if Patient Ate at Subway, Olive Garden, Red Lobster
At Least 480 Sickened in Nationwide Cyclospora Outbreak
At least 480 people in 16 states have been sickened in the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak as of August 6, 2013. The CDC is reporting 467 sickened, but they do not have the latest numbers from Texas, which indicate 171 illnesses. At least 27 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. The outbreak count by state is: Texas (171), Iowa (151), Nebraska (85), Florida (25), Wisconsin (12), Illinois (9), New York City (5), Georgia (4), Kansas (3), Louisiana(3), Arkansas (4), Missouri (3), Ohio (2), Connecticut (1), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1), and New York (1). It is not yet clear whether all of the cases from all of the states are part of the same outbreak. The cases in Iowa and Nebraska have been linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico bagged salads served at Olive Garden … [Read more...]
Nebraska Hard Hit By Cyclospora
The state of Nebraska has been hard hit in the Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 400 in 16 states. As of August 2, 2013, there are 84 people sick in that state, most in the eastern part. The counties of Douglas, with 47 cases, and Sarpy/Cass, with 11 cases, have the most illnesses. The cases in Nebraska have been linked to salad mix by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., which makes foodservice salads that were served at local Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. Taylor Farms de Mexico is located in Salinas, north of Mexico City. The states of Nebraska and Iowa have the most cases: 232 in all. But the 210 cases in other states have not been conclusively linked to the Nebraska/Iowa outbreak, or to Taylor Farms products. Taylor Farms de Mexico has been … [Read more...]
Rep. Rosa DeLauro Asks FDA for Answers on Cyclospora Outbreak
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-NY) asked the FDA for answers on the multistate cyclospora outbreak because public health officials are not releasing information on the name and source of the bagged salad mix linked to the illnesses. Her letter, to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, states that, "to date there is minimal information available to the public on the possible cause(s) of this outbreak from federal agencies. In [Iowa and Nebraska] the trace back activity indicates an association with a prepackaged salad mix that 'came through national distribution channels' according to the announcements from both states." She wants the FDA to release details on how the investigation unfolded, whether the FDA and CDC consider it acceptable to identify an outbreak source but withhold … [Read more...]
Law Firm to File Cyclospora Suit Against Olive Garden Parent
A national food safety law firm is planning to file lawsuits in connection with the Cyclospora outbreak Monday on behalf of women who allege they fell ill with Cyclosporiasis after eating at an Olive Garden restaurants in Nebraska and Iowa. At least 442 people in 16 states have been diagnosed with Cyclosporiasis, the infection caused by the rare parasite Cyclospora. Health officials in two states, Iowa and Nebraska, established that the 232 cases in their states were caused by the same source, pre-packaged salad. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the salad was produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska. Symptoms of a Cyclospora infection include explosive diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, … [Read more...]
Cyclosporiasis: 442 people sick, 22 Hospitalized
Cyclosporiasis, the infection caused by the rare parasite Cyclospora, has been diagnosed in 442 people in 16 states, 22 of whom have required hospitalization. Taylor Farms de Mexico food service salad served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants has been determined to be the source of 232 of those illness in Iowa and Nebraska. Taylor Farms salads sold at grocery stores are not implicated in this outbreak, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A recall of the foodservice salad has not been issued. In addition to Iowa and Nebraska, 14 other states have reported cases of Cyclosporiasis, but it is not clear at this point if all of the cases are related. Those 16 states reported a total of 442 cases of Cyclospora infection to Food Poisoning Bulletin on August 2. … [Read more...]
