More sicknesses have been reported across the United States in two outbreaks of the cyclospora parasite, federal health officials said on Thursday.
In less than a week, the number of reported cases of illnesses from eating McDonald’s salads increased from 61 to 163.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the last count on Thursday: 163 people in 10 states, including three hospitalizations and none resulting in deaths. The FDA is working with McDonald’s to pinpoint the ingredients in salads that make people sick as a dog and trace them through out the supply chain.
As a safeguard, McDonald’s stopped selling these salads at 3,000 fast food restaurants in 14 states to try and contain the outbreak, the FDA said. The states under caution are Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia and Missouri.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 237 cases of cyclosporosis in people who allegedly consumed from Del Monte Fresh vegetable trays, which contain broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill sauce. The reports came from four states, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa. Seven people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported.
On June 15, a tray was removed containing these items in a transparent plastic wrap. The trays are dated “Best if used before” on June 17, 2018 and sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket and Peapod in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin , Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Health officials said there was no evidence to suggest that the set of illnesses related to McDonald’s salads is related to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak linked to Del Monte fresh vegetable trays.
The cyclospora parasite causes intestinal disease as a result of consuming contaminated food or water.
Symptoms, which may begin a week or more after the parasite has been consumed, include diarrhea and frequent, sometimes explosive (kaboom!), bowel movements, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infected people may experience loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, nausea, gas and fatigue. Vomiting, headache, fever, body aches, and flu-like symptoms may also occur.
The disease can last from a few days to a few months and patients may feel better and then get worse again. Patients can be treated with antibiotics.
