UPDATE: McDonald's Salads Linked To Parasite That's Spread To Another 5 States
UPDATE: July 19, 2018 at 10:42 a.m.
The CDC is investigating an outbreak of Cyclospora infections spanning multiple states linked to McDonald's salads, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of July 13, there have been 61 laboratory-confirmed cases reported in people who ate salads from McDonald's.
Cyclospora is a type of microscopic parasite that infects those who consume food or water contaminated with the parasite. The parasite usually causes diarrhea, but other symptoms including weight loss, loss of appetite, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting may occur, per the CDC.
The cases come from seven states, with the majority in Illinois and Iowa. Other states with confirmed cases are Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin - though one of the patients in Wisconsin dined at a McDonald's in Illinois.
So far, two people have been hospitalized. According to the CDC, "Consumers who developed diarrhea after eating McDonald's salads should see their healthcare provider to be tested for Cyclosporiasis and treated appropriately."
UPDATE: June 16, 2018 at 11:43 p.m.
Last week, a parasitic illness outbreak was linked to McDonald's salads. (UGH, is this a curse for trying to be healthy?) The chain is now jumping into action by removing salads at 3,000 restaurants in 14 states following initial reports. The locations are primarily in the midwest: Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri.
McDonald’s said Friday that “out of an abundance of caution,” it had stopped selling said greens and was working to get rid of the lettuce from those locations and their distribution centers. The company also added it was switching to another lettuce supplier for those locations. Check back for more updates.
ORIGINAL POST: July 13, 2018 at 12:01 p.m.
Just after 200 people got sick from a parasite outbreak linked to Del Monte veggie trays, there's another food-related outbreak being investigated. According to CNN, the health departments of Illinois and Iowa are investigating a parasite outbreak that may be linked to salads at McDonald's.
The cyclospora parasite causes intestinal illness after consuming contaminated food or water. Illinois has reported 90 cases since Mid-May, and Iowa has reported 15 cases since late June. As The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, the time between being infected and becoming sick is usually about one week, and symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps and pain, bloating, vomiting, nausea, and fatigue, along with other flu-like symptoms.
In their statement, The Illinois Department of Public Health said: "The initial investigation indicates a link to consumption of McDonald's salads produced for McDonald's restaurants. Approximately one-fourth of Illinois cases reported eating salads from McDonald's in the days before they became ill."
Health officials from both Illinois and Iowa are asking that anyone who has eaten a McDonald's salad since mid-May and experienced diarrhea and fatigue should contact a health care provider to be tested and receive treatment.
CNN also reports that McDonald's is cooperating with the investigation. "Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily stop selling salads at impacted restaurants until we can switch to another lettuce blend supplier," the fast food chain said in an email to CNN. "We are in the process of removing existing salad blend from identified restaurants and distribution centers - which includes approximately 3,000 of our U.S. restaurants primarily located in the Midwest."
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