The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dropped the total number of people included in the Cyclospora outbreaks to 642, four less than last week’s report, according to the agency’s latest update. A case in one new state, Pennsylvania, means the outbreaks have now spread through 25 states. Forty five people have been hospitalized.
Arkansas, Illinois and Pennsylvania each had an increase of 1 case since last week’s report. The count in Texas was dropped by five, and Iowa and Kansas totals were each reduced by one. By state, the new case count is as follows: Texas (278), Iowa (153), Nebraska (86), Florida (32), Wisconsin (17), Arkansas (13), Illinois (13), New York (9), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), New Jersey (4), Kansas (3), Louisiana (3), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (3), Ohio (3), Virginia (3), Connecticut (2), California (1), Michigan (1), New Hampshire (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), and Wyoming (1).
The most recent onset of illness date is August 21. However, the agency states, that illnesses that began after the week of August 7 may not be fully reported yet. From onset of illness, it can take five or six weeks for cases to be confirmed.
Those who were sickened range in age from less than one year old to 92 years old. The median age is 52. Fifty-seven percent of those sickened are female.
Cases in Iowa and Nebraska were linked to salad mix served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants. But that salad mix is not the source of illnesses in Texas, according to the report which says “available evidence suggests that not all of the cases of cyclosporiasis in the various states are directly related to each other.” The investigation is ongoing.
The agency recommends that consumers continue to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a well-balanced diet. And that they follow proper food safety measures when handling produce.