The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) reports six cases of Cyclospora infection associated with bagged salad mixes.
“The cases in North Dakota are part of a larger outbreak occurring among the Midwest states,” said Laura Cronquist, an NDDoH epidemiologist. “All six people consumed the Marketside brand salad. The NDDoH continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other public health agencies on this ongoing investigation. “
The disease is associated with the consumption of salad mixes in bags distributed in the Midwest. Salads sold at ALDI, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, and Walmart stores have been recalled from stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Dakota del South and Wisconsin.
Consumers in these 12 states should check their recalled salads at home and throw away the remaining salad. Recall salads include:
– Classic Iceberg Salad in 12 oz. And 24 oz. Bag from the Marketside brand (sold at Walmart stores in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin).
-Little Salad Bar brand 12-ounce Salad Garden Salad (sold at ALDI stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin).
-Hey Vee Brand Garden Salad in 12-ounce bags (sold at Hy-Vee stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin).
According to the CDC, as of June 26, 206 cases had been reported from eight states in the United States. Twenty-three cases have been hospitalized. None of the North Dakota cases have been hospitalized.
Cyclosporiasis is a disease caused by Cyclospora, a single-celled parasite. Symptoms include nausea, watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness, abdominal cramps, and body aches. Symptoms generally develop about a week after infection, although the incubation period can range from two days to two weeks. People in good health generally recover without treatment. In the United States, most infections are related to eating contaminated fruits and vegetables. People who travel internationally and drink untreated water or eat local produce are also at risk. Direct transmission from person to person does not occur. People who become ill after consuming salad should consult their healthcare provider.
To reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis, people should:
-Wash hands before and after handling fresh products.
-Wash fresh products before consuming them.
-Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, or within two hours. Store fruits and vegetables away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
-Avoid drinking contaminated water.
-Use separate cutting boards for fresh produce and raw meat and poultry.
-Clean and disinfect food preparation work surfaces.
For more information on the cyclosporiasis outbreak related to bagged salad mixes, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2020/index.html. You can find more information about cyclosporiasis at www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/foodborne-and-gastrointestinal-illness/cyclosporiasis.
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