More than 100 people in the Midwest have become ill with a parasitic infection related to bagged salad mixes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.
A total of 122 people had confirmed cases of infections with Cyclospora, an intestinal parasite that can cause diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Cases have been reported in seven states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, and 19 people have been hospitalized.
Bagged salads containing carrots, red cabbage and iceberg lettuce from supermarket chains ALDI, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco have been linked to the outbreak, although there may also be other sources of infection, the CDC said.
On Monday, ALDI removed its Garden Salad brand from Little Salad Bar. Late last week, Hy-Vee recalled its 12 oz. Hy-Vee Garden Salad and Jewel-Osco remembered their Signature Farms Garden Salad.
While cases have been reported in just seven states, the CDC is recommending that residents of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin check their blends at home. salads recalled and discarded. .
The Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis that can be treated with antibiotics.
The CDC noted that there are several Cyclospora outbreaks each summer.
In 2018, an outbreak of Cyclospora related to McDonald’s salad sickened more than 500 people.
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